New report by Consumers' Checkbook might change your grocery habits

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A new report by Consumers' Checkbook might change your grocery habits and where you shop.

The guide checked prices and surveyed its subscribers to see which grocery stores rank best in terms of price and quality in cities all over the country, including Philadelphia.

They looked at a long list of grocery chains, shopping 150 common items from produce and fresh meat to non-perishables and from store brands to brand names.

If savings are your top priority when choosing a grocery store, Consumers' Checkbook says consider switching away from a traditional grocery chain.

"Because the savings can be really significant over time, and if you're a family of four and you spend $250 at the supermarket, we found that just by switching to a low-cost option, you can save a couple thousand dollars a year," said Kevin Brasler, the executive editor of Consumers' Checkbook.

The low-cost leader in our region?

"So ALDI by far had the lowest prices for groceries," he said.

ALDI's prices were 30% to 40% lower than the average at the other grocery stores Consumers' Checkbook shopped.

The chain's per-unit prices were even lower than Costco and Sam's Club.

But another discount chain growing in our area also offers good savings.

"Lidl, which is another kind of small-format European-based grocery chain that's slowly expanding its presence here on the East Coast. It also had considerably low prices," he said.

Anywhere from 20% to 25% lower than the all-store average.

And here's an interesting finding about Amazon Fresh brick-and-mortar stores.

"So it's this corporate cousin to Whole Foods, but its prices are like 40% lower than Whole Foods," added Brasler.

Plus, it's convenient. The Amazon app keeps track of what you remove from shelves, and when you're done, you just exit, without having to scan your items.

The overall price rankings in the Philadelphia area to buy the same items, it'll cost you the least at:

ALDI at just $65 for the entire basket. Lidl comes in second lowest at $74 and Amazon Fresh is next at $84. Grocery Outlet cost $88 for the same items, and Walmart rounded out the top 5 at $90.

Dollar General and Trader Joe's prices were higher, according to Consumers' Checkbook.

Checkbook also surveyed its members about quality and customer service.

And Wegmans wins in those categories.

And Consumers' Checkbook says Wegmans' prices are on par with ShopRite and Giant.

You can see the full report here.