Tips to save money and find deals at NC grocery stores and retail shops

This summer, our service journalism reporters set out to learn which Raleigh grocery stores and supermarkets provide the best value for shoppers who want to save money while stocking up on food.

From in-store deals to price-checking, we explore how people can reduce spending (but not sacrifice quality) at North Carolina retailers.

Here’s a recap of our coverage to help you find a deal and which stores offer them on your next grocery haul:

How to save at ALDI, Target and Walgreens

Target said it reduced prices on 1,500 items and will discount thousands more over the summer, including meat, bread, soda, fruit and vegetables. At ALDI, customers will find deals on 250 items through Labor Day, from chicken to sausage and select condiments. This article has more information on how Walgreens — one of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains — cut prices on over-the-counter vitamins, snacks and medicine cabinet staples.

Full story on ALDI, Target and Walgreens prices by News & Observer reporter Renee Umsted

Save by checking the ‘Aisle of Shame’

Plenty of nontraditional supermarket items — such as a kiddie pool or a candlestick holder — can be found along some aisles at both ALDI and its rival, Lidl… and for lower than retail prices. This article rounds up some of those weird items that were found in the “ Aisle of Shame ” at local ALDI and Lidl stores.

Full story by News & Observer reporter Renee Umsted

Tips to save at Raleigh-area stores

To combat the rising price of groceries, we put together a grocery store deals guide to help you save the most money while doing your weekly supermarket shopping.

Combining weekly savings ads, free rewards programs, store credit cards (with no annual fees) and linked fuel rewards points can help reduce spending on non-negotiable necessities.

The article has tips on how to save at stores such as ALDI, Dollar General and Food Lion.

Full story by News & Observer reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska

Interactive database lets you search & compare Raleigh’s grocery prices

The News & Observer’s service journalism team compared prices of 40 items at 16 Raleigh grocery stores to help residents save.

We collected data by snapping photos of regular prices for items on a standard grocery list, then plopped those prices into a database to crunch the numbers and determine which store offers shoppers the best value. Read this article for the full methodology and to learn which store that is.

Full story by News & Observer reporters Renee Umsted, Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska and David Raynor

Receipt maker takes all the work out of price-checking your grocery list

Our interactive receipt maker helps shoppers price-check their own grocery list. This article explains how you can choose the store, select items from your list and calculate the costs within seconds to save on all food items.

Full story by News & Observer reporters Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska and David Raynor

More North Carolina grocery store savings stories

• We checked prices at 16 Raleigh grocery stores to find the best values. Our 2024 results

• Raleigh has 16 major grocery stores. Here’s why you should explore them all

This story was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. This content was edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here .