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The answer to which store is most convenient may surprise you.
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There are lots of reasons to pick one store over another to shop at. For some customers, price is a top priority and the goal is to spend as little on groceries as possible to keep credit card bills down. Others prioritize organic products or short wait times or great store brand items.
For many shoppers, though, convenience is key, and that’s understandable for people with busy lives who want a close, convenient store and a quick shopping experience.
If convenience is your top priority, you may be wondering what store is the best place for you to shop. Consumer research has provided an answer that might come as a surprise.
Is this store the most convenient for shoppers?
According to this year’s Retailer Preference Index (RPI), one retailer topped the list for convenience: Walmart. Walmart stores came in first when it came to convenience, and Walmart Neighborhood Market came in third, so different variations on the big-box store actually took two places on the list.
Although Walmart doesn’t always have the best reputation, there are some good reasons why consumers found the retailer to top the list of most convenient stores. For one thing, there are Walmarts everywhere. There are 5,317 total Walmart units including Supercenters, Discount Stores, and neighborhood markets. By comparison, Target — a close competitor — has only 1,948 stores. So, if you’re looking for a store that is close by, chances are you’ll find a Walmart — no matter where you are.
Walmart also sells a huge variety of products, which adds to the convenience of shopping there. You can pick up some automotive parts, get your grocery shopping done, hit up the toy aisle for a present for your kids, and buy some clothing — all without ever leaving your local neighborhood Walmart.
How to pick the best store for you
While Walmart wins on convenience, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best place for everyone to shop. You’ll want to think about what makes sense given your priorities and your lifestyle.
While Walmart generally has competitive prices, you can’t assume it’s necessarily the cheapest for every purchase. If keeping more money in your bank account is a top priority for you, you may want to do a price comparison between Walmart and other local stores for the items you buy the most to see where you can get the best deals.
And, while Walmart does have house brand products (Great Value is its house brand), it doesn’t offer the variety of unique foods that places like Costco or Trader Joe’s have. So if trying little seasonal delights is your cup of tea, you may be better off shopping elsewhere.
The point is to make a mindful decision. It’s so easy to go to a store just because it’s close to you or because you’ve always gone there. But, you work hard for your money and you deserve to do your shopping at a place that’s going to provide the best value for you. So don’t just stick with the status quo without taking the time to consider what you prioritize most in a store and which place can best suit those priorities.
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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
