Grocery Outlet — Local services in Stanwood

I love shopping at Grocery Outlet. I normally go the the Arlington location (which has everything I need and more), but this one is bigger and better. One thing to be aware of is the fact that G.O. doesn't always have all of the items you were able to purchase the last time you shopped there-- sometimes they have one-time items and other times they haven't yet restocked something you got in the past. That isn't a criticism of this location in particular. It's true across the G.O. board.

The reason I love buying my groceries at G.O. is because the prices are so sanity-reinforcingly reasonable compared to the other supermarket chains in the area. Seriously-- I can get most items for a dollar or two (or more, depending on what it is) less than I would be able to purchase them for at a "safer" (if you catch my drift), nearby alternative.

As I previously stated, I normally purchase groceries at the Arlington G.O. location. That being said, the layout of this store was automatically familiar to me despite the fact that I shopped here for the first time earlier today. Some of the items I can usually find in Arlington weren't here, but there were many items in Stanwood that I've never seen in Arlington. Grocery Outlet is not a consistency poster child. That's nothing to worry about-- the money you save by shopping here more than makes up for the inconsistencies you might be tempted to complain about.

My favorite thing about shopping at Grocery Outlet is the cereal prices. Take a run of the mill, definitely-available-at-every-grocery-store cereal like Cheerios. Guess what: you'll save like $3 buying them at Grocery Outlet. It's also likely that you'll encounter cereals that you've never seen elsewhere, like cinnamon Frosted Flakes or turn-your-leftover-milk-green, special edition Lucky Charms. If you can't remember the last time you paid less than $2 for a box of cereal, you owe it to yourself to head to G.O.

There are some downsides to shopping here. Not enough to drop this grocery store from a five star rating, but still something you should be aware of. The produce section isn't amazing. The same goes for their meat. You'll be able to find what you're looking for if you need staples (they have oranges and tomatoes and chicken breasts and pork chops). If you need something halfway exotic though, like kiwis or starfruit or any cut of steak you won't see on a restaurant menu, it's likelier than not that you won't be able to find it at G.O.

Forget the downsides. They're minor. I moved to the area from Florida recently, and food prices are lower there than they are here. Grocery Outlet is the only supermarket I've found in Washington state that has prices that won't leave you shaking your fist at the sky, screaming "why me?!" You'll be able to feed yourself and your family without breaking the bank here.

If you're trying to decide whether to shop here or somewhere else, let me help you out. Shop here. Yes-- G.O. is subject to the same inflationary pressures that every other business is, but they're not using it as an excuse to gouge you for no reason (like another popular chain that's all over the area whose name makes you think they're providing a path without danger-- a "safe way" to shop, if you will).

Take a look at the pictures I've included with my review. Many of them include price tags. Compare the prices you see with what you'd find elsewhere. Shopping at Grocery Outlet is...

This place is the bomb. Ever since I found and met the owner of the Grocery Outlet in Madrona district of Seattle in 2005 G/O has been my go to store. When I moved to Camano in 2017 I was more than pleased to find Stanwood had one as well. The employees here are fantastic. If you're the kind of shopper who needs to brag about getting the shiniest apple, the best cut of beef, the largest selection of over priced soup, then this isn't for you. But if you're one looking household basics and great grocery buys, this is the place go. Some insider G/O secrets: (I might get shot for revealing these lol)

1. when going for your first trip grab a cart, not a basket. Don't be in a hurry and be willing to spend a hour or better.
2. Bare in mind that many G/O items are overstock, special purchase(especially household, seasonal and G/O branded) For this reason some great buys may be limited to stock on hand and may not be available in the future. If you find an item you want more of than is available, check with the store manager. They can sometimes see if the item can be ordered, is due to be restocked. I even had an item that they found for me at another G/O. G/O are independently owned so they don't do store transfers, but I was more than willing to pick it up myself, especially for a couple of dog beds that were $19.95 and sold elsewhere for $39 -$50
3. Because G/O has a lot overstock items, many are nearing and occassionally passed "Best by" dates. (**Spoiler alert: half the items (dry and canned) sold at Walmart are either damaged or nearing expiration dates.) Always purchase, use or store appropriately.
4. Recent supply chain issues that affect all stores, G/O has the best prices on pet supplies. *With the recent announcement that Kroger may be purchasing Albertsons, our only other 2 large grocery stores will be under the same corporate ownership. With no competition you can res assured...

14 year old girls (employees) dislike an older gentleman because he talks alot and has an odor.

He talks alot because he lives alone. He has an odor for much the same reason... this guy is Salt of the earth. A hard worker. An honest man. A born again Christian. A community volunteer helping aged veterans. He raised a daughter and a son successfully. To tell him not to talk to your employees is shameful. 14 year old girls are picky and petty, I have 4 daughters.

A proper response might be to counsel the 14 year olds a to be nice to everyone, because mommy and daddy aren't there to pay for everything for the folks they make fun of behind their backs. You've lost a handful of customers on this one.

You have cameras in the store. Perhaps you should check them to see the interaction, then check where the girls are 5 min later. My bet is trash talking the man who is spending money in your store because he's "weird". I promise you this man's actions and words would cause not even the slightest perception of impropriety.

You're the only game I'm town so I'm stuck, just know that I know you wronged him, it's sad you wont ever realize the damage...