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Last night I decided on a whim to head to Walmart and get prices for all the deals that are buy one get one this week at Publix. Yes, it was a crazy whim especially hauling three of my kiddos with me. The reason though is to help show you know where to shop. So many folks out of habit head to Walmart without even looking to see if other stores have the better price. Hopefully these final numbers can help open a few eyes!
Background To Both Stores
Publix everywhere other than FL and NC doubles coupons that are 50¢ or less everyday. They also accept local grocery store competitor coupons (each store decided who is a competitor to them). Publix also has a ton of store coupons that can be used with manufacturer coupons. Lastly, Publix works with Upromise to offer extra savings on top of all the other coupons used.
Walmart accepts manufacturer coupons. They don’t double them, they don’t stack them with any other store or competitor coupon. Walmart does not have any store coupons. They do however price match any local competitor within a 50 mile radius. In Florida only they price match BOGO deals at the Walmart price (every other state will price match these at price listed in the competitor ad).
The Test
I compared Publix buy one get one deals with the Walmart “always low price”. Seeing how much you would save if you just used coupons in Walmart vs. Publix and how much you would save if you price matched all the Publix BOGO deals in Walmart and used coupons.
The Results
Drumroll please…
If you out of habit just went to Walmart and bought two of everything that was buy one get one this week at Publix (using coupons but not price matching) you would pay $222.78.
Buying two of the same items in Publix, with coupons, would cost $119.62 in states that double or $123.42 in states that don’t double.
That’s a savings of $103 to shop the same items in Publix!!
Now, for the folks that are up for price matching. This means you head to Walmart and get the same items and price match the bogo sale at Walmart. In Florida this is done at the Walmart price, every where else this is price matched at the price listed in the competitor ad.
Walmart Florida Price Matching – $97.94
Publix Florida – $123.42
Walmart Price Matching (other states) – $131.86
Publix other states – $119.62
I was actually shocked at the Florida savings to be in Walmart. You may also be. Keep in mind that this doesn’t take into account having any competitor coupons for $$ off a total purchase (like the Winn Dixie $5 off $30 coupons). Every where other than Florida though, Publix still wins. That is where the doubling of coupons, and store coupons all play in that Walmart won’t do.
*note I have you buy 2 because it is required to buy 2 of a bogo in Florida
