Supermercado Comparisons

As we live here in Oaxaca longer, we have found our way to all of the big box grocery stores.  It is interesting to see what each offers, their pricing, the layout and ease of getting around.  We started out with Bodega Aurrera, on the recommendation of Florencio, probably because it was the nearest to us.  Since then we have been to a second Bodega Aurrera at Plaza Bella, a Soriana on Universidad Avenue, and a Chedraui just as you start into the central zone from our carretara. Here are a few comments and opinions about each of them.

 

This is an overseas branch of Wal-Mart.  It is probably the lowest price and modest market leader in Oaxaca.  Wal-Mart also has a store near the airport under the Wal-Mart name. The Bodega on the north highway is somewhat difficult to get in and appears to have been there for some time.  It is located a U shaped strip mall, and the access is somewhat exciting.  The prices are the lowest and they seem to have some of everything.  All of the supermarkets are combination grocery and dry goods stores (ala Fred Meyer) where you are required to walk through all the non food items to get to the grocery areas. The stores also have a lot more non food products than food.

The Bodega store at Plaza Bella is much newer, but similar layout and is located in a brand new mall, which includes a Cineplex and food court that has a McDonalds. It has about the same line of items as the Bodega close to home, but appears to be a little neater and cleaner.

 

We were familiar with Soriana because it was our favorite shopping store in San Miguel de Allende.  When we visited the Soriana in Oaxaca we were somewhat disappointed.  The food sections were much more limited and items carried the same as at the Bodega.  The prices were higher than the Bodega stores and it had the customer unfriendly aspect of pay parking (see previous post).  For our casa location it is also inconvenient to get to.  It does have the advantage of being located with many other big box stores so you can shop for a lot of different stuff.  There is also a Sam’s Club down the street if you are a member of the Wal-Mart discounter Costco competitor.

Chedraui is probably the newest competitor in the supermercado competition.  It has easy access north or south from one way streets and has very convenient (and cool) covered parking on the ground level. The also must have a deal with the city government, as their name appears on the large traffic direction signs. The shopping level is above the parking with escalator access for moving your shopping basket to the parking lot.  Although their logo touts low prices, we felt that it was the most expensive when comparing item to item with Bodega.  It is however very bright and the aisles are the most spacious of all the supermercados. This store has a greater variety of food, Mary Ann was actually able to fine saran wrap.  If you don’t mind paying a bit more, it is clearly the most pleasant place to shop. 

Mary Ann has decided to get some items either at Bodega or Chedraui, as each have things that one or the other may not have.  She does not think the fruit and vegetables in any of them are up to the freshness and quality of the mercados, so they will still get our business.  I would note that all three of the big box grocery stores accept credit cards along with your ID.  One or more seem to have loyalty card programs but they are a mystery to me.

Quirky Living Note

 

Refrigeration – We are suspecting that not a lot of the natives have significant refrigeration in their homes.  The tipoff is that in the grocery stores (supermercados) there is very little frozen food available.  With all the little corner grocery stores in the villages, that are mom and pop operations, daily buying must be the rule.