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Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 20th, 2021, 9:32 pm
by storewanderer
Latest pricing trick at Safeway:

Only putting certain "varieties" on sale on items. Yes, the ads have always said selected varieties, but typically all of the items are on sale in a given product family.

For instance- tonight:

2lb Signature Brown Sugar 2.79 regular price; the light one is on sale at 1.99 but the dark one is still at the full price of 2.79
Signature Enchilada Sauce Can- 1.49 regular price; the "medium red" one is on sale at 1.25, but the green one and the "mild red" one are both at the regular price

Earlier this month-
Ad had Stouffer Frozen Meals 5 for $10. A few random flavors were excluded and still full price; for instance the cheese lasagna was not part of the sale and rang at the full 3.99 while the meat one in the same size did come up at the sale price.

I've noticed this on some coffee and some DSD beverages in the past couple months also but didn't think much of it as the items I noticed it on were ones that I thought might just be unique to the new store here in Reno and not carried by the other area Safeways, so figured they just missed the items in the sale programming.

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 22nd, 2021, 2:04 pm
by Bagels
I’ve noticed this too. I got burned when I realized that Kellogg’s Frosted Wheat Original and Vanilla were on sale, but not the Strawberry.

On an unrelated note, I noticed they brought back a few Signature Select frozen entrees (looks like a couple spaghetti and a couple Asian) and are pricing them at $1.50. I guess they have a contract or something like that…

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 22nd, 2021, 10:31 pm
by storewanderer
Bagels wrote: November 22nd, 2021, 2:04 pm I’ve noticed this too. I got burned when I realized that Kellogg’s Frosted Wheat Original and Vanilla were on sale, but not the Strawberry.

On an unrelated note, I noticed they brought back a few Signature Select frozen entrees (looks like a couple spaghetti and a couple Asian) and are pricing them at $1.50. I guess they have a contract or something like that…
I wonder if this is deliberate or simply poor promotional planning (maybe they only are running promotions on SKUs carried by all stores or something chainwide... but I am pretty sure 2lb Signature Brown Sugar Dark Brown is in every store).

Have not seen the frozen meals return in NorCal yet. That is quite funny they brought them back. The producer was in SoCal. They kept a "party size" Orange Chicken SKU and never discontinued it in the first place also.

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 23rd, 2021, 10:09 am
by Bagels
Walmart is steadily increasing pricing, but staples/most frequently purchased items are unchanged. Their price hikes definitely aren't as aggressive as Albertsons, however. They've also cut their promotional budget (loss leaders) it seems. For example, 2L of Coca Cola products are on sale for $1.50 for the holidays -- they've been $1 since at least the mid-2000s. And despite one of the largest sweet potatoes harvests -- yielding pricing around 25c/lb. at ethnic grocers, and as low as three lb. free at traditional grocers around the country -- they're 88c/lb.

Also, what's up with all the pumpkin pies at Walmart? At my local store, there's so many of them (probably over 100), they're collapsing under the weight. Definitely not appetizing.

---

On a positive note, Albertsons does have a couple J4U coupons worthwhile: $1 off any grapes purchase of $1 or more (on sale for 88c this week), and $1 off any meat purchase (80/20 chuck is on sale for $1.98/lb., sirlion is on sale for $4.99/lb.).
storewanderer wrote: November 22nd, 2021, 10:31 pmHave not seen the frozen meals return in NorCal yet. That is quite funny they brought them back. The producer was in SoCal. They kept a "party size" Orange Chicken SKU and never discontinued it in the first place also.
When I was in Albertsons last night, I noticed they just brought back the entire "Counting Calories" entrée line-up (as it was earlier this year at least) ; at $1.50 each, they're one of the few (everyday price) bargains in the store. I'm guessing they're stuck honoring a contract.

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 23rd, 2021, 3:30 pm
by Alpha8472
I saw a large amount of Patti Labelle sweet potato pies at Walmart. They are very popular. I like them, but they give me a stomach ache.

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 23rd, 2021, 4:12 pm
by BillyGr
Bagels wrote: November 23rd, 2021, 10:09 am On a positive note, Albertsons does have a couple J4U coupons worthwhile: $1 off any grapes purchase of $1 or more (on sale for 88c this week), and $1 off any meat purchase (80/20 chuck is on sale for $1.98/lb., sirlion is on sale for $4.99/lb.).
The wildlife in the meat counter strikes again ;)

Was really bad that at least a couple of Grand Unions (when they were around) not only made that mistake but kept the same paper signs to reuse for sales when they were offered again so it never got fixed.

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 24th, 2021, 10:31 pm
by Bagels
CalItalian wrote: December 31st, 1969, 4:27 pmI purchased my turkeys at Walmart. Best deal with the nationally advertised Ibotta $15 back deal.
The two Walmarts near me have been short on turkeys all month - literally just two or three birds in the store when I visited them. Several of the other free offers have been difficult to find (including the family size mashed potatoes, mushroom soup, etc.). I suspect many deal hounds signed up for multiple Ibotta accounts (I noticed the work “turkeys” in your posting :) ). I’ve even saw more than one person return the items involved in the promotion, presumably after they’ve gotten their cash back.

Anyway, we caved in Monday and bought the only turkey they had. And then today they dumped several dozen Jennie O turkeys at a price of 33c/lb. - not sure what happened there but if you held out (or created another account), what a deal!

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 25th, 2021, 6:08 am
by J-Man
They probably assume there won't be much of a demand for frozen turkeys now because they will take too long to thaw and won't be available for Thanksgiving.

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 26th, 2021, 12:24 am
by storewanderer
Another good one at Safeway in Reno:
Single Candy Bars (Starburst, Snickers, etc.) - used to be tagged "low price .99" - now tagged "low price 1.49"
King Size versions not sure what the old price was but the price now is 2.69 with some on sale for 1.25.

That is quite an increase in a single swoop.

Re: Albertsons’ Soaring Prices

Posted: November 26th, 2021, 5:01 pm
by Bradford011
storewanderer wrote: November 20th, 2021, 9:32 pm[snip]Latest pricing trick at Safeway:

Only putting certain "varieties" on sale on items. Yes, the ads have always said selected varieties, but typically all of the items are on sale in a given product family.
We have this out on the east coast as well.

One time they had Suave shampoo on sale. My brother and I both love the coconut variety but only a few types were on sale. The girl ringing me out gave me the discount on everything though when I questioned this...