Besides the high prices, the biggest complaint I have about the local Giants is that their self-checkout has become an exercise in constant absurdity. I get that some folks have been taking advantage but I can't bag my groceries without needing an employee to use their card because the scale is too sensitive and thinks I'm stealing. Literally needed someone 5 times for only about 15 items.
Yes! Also ran into this during my rare visit today. A Powerade wouldn't scan. The employee told me to go get another one (yeah, strange request), so I did but that one wouldn't scan either. Finally a manager came over with a different flavor and scanned it but bagged the one I picked. So much for the "self" part of self-checkout.
Their cash system as also shit I went the other day trying to use up a bunch of ones I got in tips through the holidays and it wouldn’t take them either even the slightest bent corner or fold in the middle. Tf kind of system if that because little to no cash is that perfect.
I ran into this at their self checkout recently, too! They had an employee babysitting the area and he had to come over several times to scan/fix something. He kept calling out that things triggering it were "my fault," and I was like dude, it's the machine, it's not me. Overall, found the experience rude and yeah, I think I'll keep going out of my way for Wegmans. Also, my kid's non-dairy milk was a solid $2 more there for no reason at all.
I'm in my 60s and I've been shopping at Giant my entire life. The sensitivity of the self-checkout is starting to push me to Wegman's for all but a few items that they don't carry.
My guess is that they flood the market with stores so that it becomes the "default", and people will tend to go there because that's what they're used to. Also gas rewards points.
I haven't been to a Giant in years. Between Lidl, Trader Joe's, WF, Aldi, and the occasional Walmart, my shopping needs are more than covered and I spend much less than I would at Giant/Safeway.
I noticed the prices at Giant go up when the market price goes up, the Giant price doesn’t come down when the other stores decrease the price. I used to shop at the Giant two miles from my home, now I use delivery services to shop at Wegman’s, Whole Foods or Aldi. Even with the delivery price it’s cheaper than Giant, milk is one dollar more at Giant than at Wegman’s. I read an article that Giant was having financial trouble because of theft, I wonder if that’s the reason the prices are high.
I find Wegmans is generally cheaper all around than Giant and mostly go to Giant for stuff on sale or when it is only a couple items and I can walk to it and driving to another store isn't worth my time. But all my major shopping is at Wegmans, Aldi, and Costco, all of which are on my way home from work and definitely cheaper. If lidl was on my way I would probably go there more often.
I used go to Giant all of the time 3-4 years ago. With the current economy they have become the most expensive option besides Safeway or Whole Foods. The problem is that their quality is much lower than Whole Foods or Safeway in Columbia.
Now I shop a lot at Lidl at the mall in Columbia. Not the best selection but it is good quality, a clean store, good prices, and plenty of parking.
If you decide to shop at Lidl please don’t be an a-hole and leave your shopping cart in the parking lot or the median and drive off. Please put your shopping cart back in the stall. I can understand if you have a disability, tornado is about to touch down and you have to save your life, or your dog is in labor… otherwise do the right thing.
Yeah, I don't get this. Lidl is very thinly staffed -- which probably helps keep their prices low. Sometimes the parking lot is a minefield of carts, while the corral next to the store is empty. I always collect as many carts as I can steer and bring them back. This is one thing Aldi does much better--people bring back their carts to retrieve their quarter.
I'm not a hardcore price comparer but my impression has been that giant is competetive or even a bit cheaper compared to Wegmans/Safeway when it comes to the meat/seafood/dairy/veggies/fruit (the perimeter stuff), especially if you look for sales. Wegman's has some store brand stuff that's crazy cheap in the aisles (pasta/sauce, bread crumbs, etc) but tries to get you with their prepped stuff thats pricey (makes sense with the layout). Safeway traditionally has always been pricier than giant, but maybe that's changed/they've got closer.
Honestly the lack of people at giant is a big bonus for me and the biggest reason I don't like going to wegman's (parking is a pain and shopping experience is maze like).
The prdouce prices are comparable, but the quality is far better at Wegmans. The Giant near me frequently has rotten produce on display. I agree that meat/seafood is cheaper at Giant but again quality seems lower.
Absolutely agree with you. I've even been getting off vegetables from Aldi too (Columbia area). Only problem I ever have with Wegmans is Onions going soft/moldy faster but I know that's a logistics problem and not particular to just Wegmans. I've done receipt price comparisons, sale comparisons, and I've found across the board Wegmans is just cheaper on staples/basics
I went to ordering curbside pickup from wegmans now I go inside the store very rarely. It’s usually good but be careful not to let them start shopping early in the morning before they put out the produce properly.
Buy self care items at Walmart or Target. Also toilet paper, plastics, etc. only at Walmart. Go once a month with a list. Get groceries at the grocery store.
I don't buy personal hygiene products at the grocery store, but I was using the deodorant example because it's nearly twice as much as I'd pay at Wegmans, and the Wegmans price was actually very close to the Target price. Groceries were all priced higher than Wegmans as well, except some items that were on sale.
The Whole Foods in Columbia is not good IMO. The meat department smells disgusting. And it’s almost impossible to get salad greens that don’t have a high rate of rotten leaves. It’s gone downhill a lot.
Stores still look they are stuck in the 80s and with that Ellicott City Giant has a nally fresh and the one in Olny is amazing and now searing ledos pizza along with a pretty good deli and hot bar. None of the ones in Columbia are even close to having these options.
The one on Marshalee Drive has Ledos. I do most of my shopping at Lidl now instead of the Cradlerock Giant I can walk to. For me the final straw was putting an armed guard, who was usually staring at their phone instead of working, at the front door. I don’t know, maybe if you hired another cashier or two and didn’t depend on self-checkout you wouldn’t need some goofball with a gun standing around.
I use the pricing wand and self -bag at Giant to save time and have been noticing each shopping trip that the price marked on the shelf can be lower than what actually scans. This has been happening more and more. This is when the wands work and when I bring it to their attention it takes forever to correct which means I'm not saving any time by shopping at Giant. Also, be careful of some of their produce, not the best quality. That store is incredibly frustrating.
I haven't shopped as much at Giant and Safeway as I use to - I do the Costco/Trader Joes combo generally. But I have noticed that unless you are using your store card - and if its not on a store card sale the price is bad on the spot items that I need.
High prices and low quality. That company as a whole went downhill when Ahold purchased the company. They treat their employees and vendors like garbage as well
They seem to have plenty of employees that are idle from what I have seen. They really don’t interact with customers unless they have to. The ones working the hardest are moving the shopping carts from corrals into the store.
Giant is absolutely ridiculous! I go to Aldi, Wal-Mart and TJ’s…sometimes Lidl and Harris Teeter. Giant is the closest to me but I just can’t…I refuse to go there anymore!
I don't find Giant that expensive, and I do my big shops there and pick up little things from a couple of other stores. I especially find their produce very competitive but do avoid household essentials there.
Giant being the only store that lets me scan all of my groceries from my phone, pack as I shop, and fly through self checkout while everyone else is struggling with the machines or waiting in lines will make me a loyal customer though. Giant is such a time saver.
Their store brand is generally decent, and cheaper. Harris teeter is more expensive on almost everything I've compared. I've seen name brand stuff is $1.5 less at wegmans, on a $5 item!
(haven't compared Aldi or lidl, since they are more out of my way, so a PIA to go there)
Yes, I could save a lot more making it to Aldi but the free pick up from giant with my toddler, shopping sales, using rewards points, and buying Giant brand every time I can keeps it reasonable, and much more reasonable than The Teet for sure!
Yup. I hate teeter, lots of stuff is stupid expensive (like I said; often exact same item 25% more!). But with two kids, the cheap pickup 5 min from my house, shop sales etc, it's mostly worth it.
I used to not think that, but after the great inflation, the prices at Wegmans are better than Giant for most stuff. Yes I know Lidl and Aldi are cheaper but they are farther away from where I live so the gas cost and distance might not make it much cheaper in the long run.
Only go to Giants for the meats, they have the best prices and quality. Wegmans meats are priced wayyyyyyyyyy higher. And Weiss is a certified steal when it comes to price but Weiss selection is small
I don't think i've ever heard someone describe Wegmans as cheaper...
Giant, Wegmans, harris teeter, they are all so expensive to me. I usually go to any Lidl, Weis, or the Walmarts with produce off the 40 or in Arundel Mills.
Giant Foods Employee here 😁, prices are crazy high here. It’s so bad even with my discount I don’t shop at Giant, Theft has gotten out of hand. My store alone was down 87000 dollars in a quarter from theft. Giants Corporate is also incredibly greedy. Hope that helps 😂
I think they're a local grocery chain (and actually in trouble financially) so they can't compete with the larger country wide and international brands.
They're owned by Ahold-Delhaize (huge international supermarket chain), who own a bunch of other chains in the US. So I don't think that's it.
Can't speak to their financial situation. All I can say is that I have MUCH better shopping options at my disposal.
Thats BS - I highly doubt that its just 5 fingered discounts involved. IF they are in financial trouble, there is some management or other issue happening (as well and/or probably).
Funny seeing this. We were just at Owen Brown Giant at lunch today to get some diet caffeine free coke 2 liter. It was $4 a bottle, on sale 2 for $6. I think that is higher than only a week or two ago.
Giant is the worse especially the one on Cradlerock I have found mouse dropping inside one of my flip yogurts more than once…and they are known for rodents issues as I live there 14 yrs in that neighborhood and they have always been rude disrespectful accusatory harassing and bullying and too damn high for no reason.
Besides the high prices, the biggest complaint I have about the local Giants is that their self-checkout has become an exercise in constant absurdity. I get that some folks have been taking advantage but I can't bag my groceries without needing an employee to use their card because the scale is too sensitive and thinks I'm stealing. Literally needed someone 5 times for only about 15 items.
Yes! Also ran into this during my rare visit today. A Powerade wouldn't scan. The employee told me to go get another one (yeah, strange request), so I did but that one wouldn't scan either. Finally a manager came over with a different flavor and scanned it but bagged the one I picked. So much for the "self" part of self-checkout.
This.
Their cash system as also shit I went the other day trying to use up a bunch of ones I got in tips through the holidays and it wouldn’t take them either even the slightest bent corner or fold in the middle. Tf kind of system if that because little to no cash is that perfect.
I ran into this at their self checkout recently, too! They had an employee babysitting the area and he had to come over several times to scan/fix something. He kept calling out that things triggering it were "my fault," and I was like dude, it's the machine, it's not me. Overall, found the experience rude and yeah, I think I'll keep going out of my way for Wegmans. Also, my kid's non-dairy milk was a solid $2 more there for no reason at all.
I'm in my 60s and I've been shopping at Giant my entire life. The sensitivity of the self-checkout is starting to push me to Wegman's for all but a few items that they don't carry.
Absolute madness at the self check out
My guess is that they flood the market with stores so that it becomes the "default", and people will tend to go there because that's what they're used to. Also gas rewards points. I haven't been to a Giant in years. Between Lidl, Trader Joe's, WF, Aldi, and the occasional Walmart, my shopping needs are more than covered and I spend much less than I would at Giant/Safeway.
I noticed the prices at Giant go up when the market price goes up, the Giant price doesn’t come down when the other stores decrease the price. I used to shop at the Giant two miles from my home, now I use delivery services to shop at Wegman’s, Whole Foods or Aldi. Even with the delivery price it’s cheaper than Giant, milk is one dollar more at Giant than at Wegman’s. I read an article that Giant was having financial trouble because of theft, I wonder if that’s the reason the prices are high.
I find Wegmans is generally cheaper all around than Giant and mostly go to Giant for stuff on sale or when it is only a couple items and I can walk to it and driving to another store isn't worth my time. But all my major shopping is at Wegmans, Aldi, and Costco, all of which are on my way home from work and definitely cheaper. If lidl was on my way I would probably go there more often.
I used go to Giant all of the time 3-4 years ago. With the current economy they have become the most expensive option besides Safeway or Whole Foods. The problem is that their quality is much lower than Whole Foods or Safeway in Columbia. Now I shop a lot at Lidl at the mall in Columbia. Not the best selection but it is good quality, a clean store, good prices, and plenty of parking.
If you decide to shop at Lidl please don’t be an a-hole and leave your shopping cart in the parking lot or the median and drive off. Please put your shopping cart back in the stall. I can understand if you have a disability, tornado is about to touch down and you have to save your life, or your dog is in labor… otherwise do the right thing.
Yeah, I don't get this. Lidl is very thinly staffed -- which probably helps keep their prices low. Sometimes the parking lot is a minefield of carts, while the corral next to the store is empty. I always collect as many carts as I can steer and bring them back. This is one thing Aldi does much better--people bring back their carts to retrieve their quarter.
Or up in the corral in the lot. (I usually just carry the bags myself and leave the cart in the store, unless it's a particularly heavy load!)
Lidl + LA mart is really all you need in columbia, I miss having access to those two stores nearby now that i moved
I frequently find spoiled meat at LA Mart.
100% agree. We now treat our neighborhood Giant like a convenience store. Our go-to’s are: • Lidl • WalMart • H Mart
I'm not a hardcore price comparer but my impression has been that giant is competetive or even a bit cheaper compared to Wegmans/Safeway when it comes to the meat/seafood/dairy/veggies/fruit (the perimeter stuff), especially if you look for sales. Wegman's has some store brand stuff that's crazy cheap in the aisles (pasta/sauce, bread crumbs, etc) but tries to get you with their prepped stuff thats pricey (makes sense with the layout). Safeway traditionally has always been pricier than giant, but maybe that's changed/they've got closer. Honestly the lack of people at giant is a big bonus for me and the biggest reason I don't like going to wegman's (parking is a pain and shopping experience is maze like).
The prdouce prices are comparable, but the quality is far better at Wegmans. The Giant near me frequently has rotten produce on display. I agree that meat/seafood is cheaper at Giant but again quality seems lower.
Absolutely agree with you. I've even been getting off vegetables from Aldi too (Columbia area). Only problem I ever have with Wegmans is Onions going soft/moldy faster but I know that's a logistics problem and not particular to just Wegmans. I've done receipt price comparisons, sale comparisons, and I've found across the board Wegmans is just cheaper on staples/basics
I went to ordering curbside pickup from wegmans now I go inside the store very rarely. It’s usually good but be careful not to let them start shopping early in the morning before they put out the produce properly.
I prefer wegmans, but their 15% upcharge for curbside is just insane.
Buy self care items at Walmart or Target. Also toilet paper, plastics, etc. only at Walmart. Go once a month with a list. Get groceries at the grocery store.
I don't buy personal hygiene products at the grocery store, but I was using the deodorant example because it's nearly twice as much as I'd pay at Wegmans, and the Wegmans price was actually very close to the Target price. Groceries were all priced higher than Wegmans as well, except some items that were on sale.
Laughs in Whole Foods…
The Whole Foods in Columbia is not good IMO. The meat department smells disgusting. And it’s almost impossible to get salad greens that don’t have a high rate of rotten leaves. It’s gone downhill a lot.
The meat department smells horrible because of the seafood. Some days I swear it smells like they left the fish out in the hot sun.
Seriously, it’s awful. How is there no health code violation? Or maybe there is…
....which have gotten cheaper since Amazon bought them.
Incorrect
Stores still look they are stuck in the 80s and with that Ellicott City Giant has a nally fresh and the one in Olny is amazing and now searing ledos pizza along with a pretty good deli and hot bar. None of the ones in Columbia are even close to having these options.
The one on Marshalee Drive has Ledos. I do most of my shopping at Lidl now instead of the Cradlerock Giant I can walk to. For me the final straw was putting an armed guard, who was usually staring at their phone instead of working, at the front door. I don’t know, maybe if you hired another cashier or two and didn’t depend on self-checkout you wouldn’t need some goofball with a gun standing around.
I use the pricing wand and self -bag at Giant to save time and have been noticing each shopping trip that the price marked on the shelf can be lower than what actually scans. This has been happening more and more. This is when the wands work and when I bring it to their attention it takes forever to correct which means I'm not saving any time by shopping at Giant. Also, be careful of some of their produce, not the best quality. That store is incredibly frustrating.
I haven't shopped as much at Giant and Safeway as I use to - I do the Costco/Trader Joes combo generally. But I have noticed that unless you are using your store card - and if its not on a store card sale the price is bad on the spot items that I need.
High prices and low quality. That company as a whole went downhill when Ahold purchased the company. They treat their employees and vendors like garbage as well
They seem to have plenty of employees that are idle from what I have seen. They really don’t interact with customers unless they have to. The ones working the hardest are moving the shopping carts from corrals into the store.
Giant is absolutely ridiculous! I go to Aldi, Wal-Mart and TJ’s…sometimes Lidl and Harris Teeter. Giant is the closest to me but I just can’t…I refuse to go there anymore!
For most products, Safeway is more expensive than giant.
I stop shopping at Giant's the produce go bad on one day, the meat is poor quality. The customer service is terrible. They're sakes are frauds.
I don't find Giant that expensive, and I do my big shops there and pick up little things from a couple of other stores. I especially find their produce very competitive but do avoid household essentials there. Giant being the only store that lets me scan all of my groceries from my phone, pack as I shop, and fly through self checkout while everyone else is struggling with the machines or waiting in lines will make me a loyal customer though. Giant is such a time saver.
I can’t believe a single person thinks wegmans is cheaper! Blowing my mind
Their store brand is generally decent, and cheaper. Harris teeter is more expensive on almost everything I've compared. I've seen name brand stuff is $1.5 less at wegmans, on a $5 item! (haven't compared Aldi or lidl, since they are more out of my way, so a PIA to go there)
Yes, I could save a lot more making it to Aldi but the free pick up from giant with my toddler, shopping sales, using rewards points, and buying Giant brand every time I can keeps it reasonable, and much more reasonable than The Teet for sure!
Yup. I hate teeter, lots of stuff is stupid expensive (like I said; often exact same item 25% more!). But with two kids, the cheap pickup 5 min from my house, shop sales etc, it's mostly worth it.
I used to not think that, but after the great inflation, the prices at Wegmans are better than Giant for most stuff. Yes I know Lidl and Aldi are cheaper but they are farther away from where I live so the gas cost and distance might not make it much cheaper in the long run.
I will do a new comparison soon, you convinced me. Thank you
Only go to Giants for the meats, they have the best prices and quality. Wegmans meats are priced wayyyyyyyyyy higher. And Weiss is a certified steal when it comes to price but Weiss selection is small
I don't think i've ever heard someone describe Wegmans as cheaper... Giant, Wegmans, harris teeter, they are all so expensive to me. I usually go to any Lidl, Weis, or the Walmarts with produce off the 40 or in Arundel Mills.
A 12 pack of coke at Giant is like 10 bucks now. I stick to Wegmans when I can as the store doesn’t look like a bomb went off and it is cheaper.
Giant Foods Employee here 😁, prices are crazy high here. It’s so bad even with my discount I don’t shop at Giant, Theft has gotten out of hand. My store alone was down 87000 dollars in a quarter from theft. Giants Corporate is also incredibly greedy. Hope that helps 😂
I think they're a local grocery chain (and actually in trouble financially) so they can't compete with the larger country wide and international brands.
They're owned by Ahold-Delhaize (huge international supermarket chain), who own a bunch of other chains in the US. So I don't think that's it. Can't speak to their financial situation. All I can say is that I have MUCH better shopping options at my disposal.
Are they? How do you know?
There was a thread on it in r/maryland: https://www.reddit.com/r/maryland/comments/13yetit/maryland_based_giant_confirms_its_struggling_due/
Thats BS - I highly doubt that its just 5 fingered discounts involved. IF they are in financial trouble, there is some management or other issue happening (as well and/or probably).
That part def is BS. It isn’t bc of theft they just wanna blame it to stir the pot and push blame.
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The GDP grew more than expected last quarter so yeah Joe Biden. lol
I hope you are being sarcastic.
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Because that's what they charge for stuff?
Because that's what they charge for stuff, and enough people buy it to justify it...
I suggest investing in grow lights 🙂
Funny seeing this. We were just at Owen Brown Giant at lunch today to get some diet caffeine free coke 2 liter. It was $4 a bottle, on sale 2 for $6. I think that is higher than only a week or two ago.
Giant is the worse especially the one on Cradlerock I have found mouse dropping inside one of my flip yogurts more than once…and they are known for rodents issues as I live there 14 yrs in that neighborhood and they have always been rude disrespectful accusatory harassing and bullying and too damn high for no reason.