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Big Lots on East Main Street in Prattville - Photo by Marc Parker
Prattville – In these tough economic times, shoppers can use all of the help they can get saving money on everyday items. But, can closeout retail stores such as Big Lots actually save money for the consumer?
Our Prattville conducted an independent investigation in order to compare prices of certain items at Big Lots with two established grocery stores in the area, Winn Dixie and Food World.
The results were astounding. A few of the prices were actually fifty to seventy-five percent cheaper at Big Lots. For example, a canister of Emerald nuts was $3.50 at Big Lots and $6.49 at Food World; and if you bought a regular box of Triscuits at Big Lots you’d save about $2.00.
Big Lots carries only a few types of cereals, but there would also be about a $2.00 savings at that store on Captain Crunch. Tomato Soup sold at Big Lots was $2.00 for the large 16-ounce size. That particular size was not sold at Winn Dixie or Food World, but both stores sold the smaller 10.75-ounce size for less than the larger size sold at Big Lots.
Here are the results of the investigation (all of the amounts reflect regular prices, no sale prices, as of mid-March, 2009):
| ITEM | BIG LT | WINN DX | FOOD WD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triscuits | $1.80 | $3.49 | $3.49 |
| Keebler Deluxe | $2.00 | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Emerald Nuts, 11.5 oz | $3.50 | item not sold | $6.49 |
| Captain Crunch, 22 oz | $2.50 | $4.19 | size not avail |
| Welch’s Wh. Gr Juice, 64 oz | $2.50 | $4.79 | $4.99 |
| Sunbeam Old Fash Bread | $1.20 | $2.39 | $2.69 |
| Lays Potato Chips, 11 oz | $3.25 | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Del Monte Gr Beans, 14.5 oz | $0.90 | $1.25 | $1.59 |
| Del Monte Cut Gr & Wax Bns | $0.50 | $1.69 | $1.59 |
| Vienna Sausage, 5 oz | $0.50 | $0.59 | $0.79 |
| Spaghetti O’s | $0.80 | $1.25 | $1.19 |
| Tomato Soup, 16 oz | $1.00 | $1.00 10.75 oz | $0.99 10.75 oz |
| Brawny Big Roll | $1.60 | $2.25 | $1.89 |
| Bounty Big Roll | $1.50 | $2.25 | $2.19 |
| Dawn Plus, 11 oz | $1.00 | size not avail | $2.09 |
| VO5 Shampoo, 15 oz | $0.96 | $1.19 | $1.19 |
In conclusion, although the closeout retailer does not have as wide of a food selection as Winn Dixie or Food World, we can say that shoppers are still able to save money on certain items by purchasing them at Big Lots. It pays to shop around!
Article by Melissa Parker
© 2009 Our Prattville. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written consent of the publisher.
However, be careful about the expiration dates on some of these items, like Triscuits.
I agree Jay.