Walmart vs. Target: Which Store Wins on Summer Cookout Staples?
Summer cookout staples, as it turns out, are mostly cheaper to buy at Walmart than Target thanks to rollback pricing. However, this is not true of every BBQ essential. If you look at Walmart’s price tags before the rollback discount, it makes more sense to grab select summer foods from Target instead.
We carefully compared the prices for popular summer cookout staples, including hamburgers, hot dogs, condiments, drinks, chips and more, to determine which big-box retailer gives shoppers the most bang for your buck.
Let’s see where the deals are hottest.
1. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
The cheapest hamburgers and hot dogs are available at Walmart and this is true for both private label and name brands. A 12-count bag of frozen Great Value beef burgers costs $14.97 compared to Good & Gather’s $17.49 pricing for a near-duplicate offering.
Rollback pricing brings the cost of Oscar Mayer hot dogs down to $2.84. Before the sale, these 10-count hot dogs cost $3.28. The sale and original prices are both less than $3.39 for the same hot dog brand at Target.
2. Hamburger Buns and Hot Dog Rolls
Shoppers save 11 cents when choosing to buy Great Value brand hamburger and hot dog buns ($1.48 per package) compared to the Market Pantry brand ($1.59 per package). It's not much, but it's a win.
3. Ketchup and Mustard
No summer cookout is complete without ketchup and mustard. You can snag both condiments for under $2 each when you shop the Great Value brand.
A 38-ounce bottle of tomato ketchup is $1.97 and a 20-ounce bottle of yellow mustard is $1. The same size condiments cost around 19 to 32 cents more each if you shop their Market Pantry equivalent.
4. Watermelon
Target currently offers better value on fresh seedless watermelon compared to Walmart, but it's tricky. While rollback pricing means watermelon costs $4.67, its original price is $9.42 and paying nearly $10 for a watermelon sounds pretty pricey. However, if it's on rollback near you, Walmart wins. Meanwhile, fresh watermelon costs $5.99 at Target for a sure thing.
5. Strawberries
Two pounds of fresh strawberries can be yours at Walmart for $4.94 or 15.1 cents per ounce. The same amount of strawberries usually costs $5.59 at Target. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales at both storefronts to snag these summer berries for even less.
6. Baked Beans
Walmart and Target nearly tie for the cheapest 28-ounce container of Bush’s baked beans.
This beloved side dish is $2.77 at Walmart and $2.79 at Target, so you can comfortably stock up at either big-box store without worrying you’re overspending.
7. Lay’s Potato Chips
Name-brand potato chips aren’t as cheap as they used to be, so it makes more sense to stock up at Walmart. An eight-ounce bag of Lay’s classic potato chips is generally $2.97 but currently $2.50 thanks to rollback pricing. That’s still a lot less than paying $3.49 at Target.
8. Coca-Cola Soft Drinks
It costs 3 cents less to buy a Coca-Cola 12-pack from Walmart ($8.86) than it does shopping at Target, so it's another negligible difference. Grab that Coke wherever you feel like it, and you'll still save over most groceries.
9. Frozen Pops
You can find patriotic-themed frozen pops at Walmart and Target, but only one retailer has them for less. Great Value’s freedom ice pops are typically $2.48 for a 12-pack. The same frozen pops from Favorite Day (blast-off pops) are $2.89 for 12. Not much more, but enough to clip a coupon.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.