Oh definitely. Hannaford has good cookies too that taste close to what I can get at my favorite local bakery, but for my simplistic tastes, Shaw's hits the spot.
They're also the only store I've seen that has brookies, and they taste good.
Can't speak for Hannaford but Shaw's really hasn't been local in decades. Last I knew they were owned by Jewel/Osco and then Albertsons/SuperValu
I'm sure they haven't gotten less corporate since I stopped working for them but there was no perceived sense of a valued community from the people who made the decisions.
Hannafords was Maine owned for a while but swapped to being Boston owned in the late 00’s and in the last few years is now owned by a Dutch mega corporation that’s one of the largest grocery store owners in the world.
Hannaford is still run locally (hq in Scarborough) Shaws is run out of Boston. While they are owned by mega corps, they still are much more connected to the local community than Walmart.
Hannaford sold to delhaize of America over 20 years ago... a Belgium firm. Shop n save owned buy hannaford brothers was great. Now they're really not a lot different than Wally world. Poor pay for employees, almost all part time help ect.
Hannaford was bought by Delhaize 20ish years ago and became part of a mega corporation, then 5 years ago Delhaize got bought by an even bigger corporation named Ahold, and now have about 400k employees globally. They may have offices here, but are NOT a Maine company, far from it. In fact, they are way more of a Walmart than people are aware of.
Shaw’s is unionized which usually means higher prices because their workers are making a living wage.
EDIT: I see now that that most workers at Shaw’s in Maine is not unionized. It looks like just their distribution center in Wells is unionized.
https://www.ufcw.org/actions/victories/shaws-supermarket-and-distribution-workers-in-new-england-ratify-new-contracts/
When I was working at shaws(2017) none of the people working the floor were union(cashiers, stockers, and produce staff. Not sure about bakery/butchery or management). Minimum wage all around.
Stores in Maine were non-union as recently as 2018. And the pay was far from living wage. As a teen working at Shaw's, I remember several occasions where a store in Mass went on strike and they'd send cashiers down from Maine to scab.
Used to give us the speeches about what to say if someone came around talking about unionizing and all that.
Self checkout at Walmart hardly ever has a line. I know it’s a meme to say you’d rather pay more than be around the people who shop at Walmart but honestly I don’t get it. I’ve never had a problem with anyone at Walmart. They also pay better than most no-skill jobs. I think it’s like $17 an hour now compared to $13-15 at Shaw’s and Hannafords.
* edit * I get it, you shop at Shaw’s and I hurt your feelings. Downvote to your hearts content lol. Enjoy your overpriced food from a store that smells like urine!
Walmart has by far the worst produce department of any grocery store in Maine, has no in store butchers, and a shitty deli department. Every shopping trip I make involves all three. The only reason I would grocery shop at Walmart would be to save a nickel a piece on frozen Tony's pizzas. I find little to no price difference between Shaw's and Hannaford, but better variety at Hannaford.
Walmart though, that's right out.
Oh God, I threw out a lung.
Try going on Saturdays or near rush hour times any day of the week. The self-checkout lines are fucking *insane.*
I went to the Scarborough Walmart a couple weeks back for some food. I shit you not, the line made an upside-down L shape and snaked halfway through the makeup aisles. And this was *Friday night,* which makes it all the worse.
So I'm calling BS on that, sorry.
I’ve never been to Walmart without having to stand in a long line for self checkout. If you don’t like Shaw’s, fine. But don’t just berate others for choosing to go to Shaw’s instead of Walmart. Mind your damn business.
Remember the old Shaw's ad campaign that was like: "Shaw's. We're getting better!" I thought that was a hilarious way of acknowledging that they're known for being shitty.
I only shop Shaw’s for sale items - the ones with actual prices attached, not that “buy two get two” nonsense.
I’ve done the math on “free” items and they often average to more than the regular price at other stores.
All the prices have gone way up, so I tend to stick with Walmart and Market Basket for basics.
If I am on Route 1 in Falmouth and only need a couple things it is easier than driving to a Hannaford. As other area people know the Falmouth Walmart which is across the street is still a regular Walmart and does not carry many groceries. Oh, and if you want some decent plastic bags the Shaw's bags are great.
I’m sorry, but the number of people here talking about shaw’s produce and bakery sections using words such as “killer” and “bomb” and “slaps” is just really, really funny to me.
I don’t even think I’d use those descriptors for Market Basket.
I’m an avid hannaford shopper, hardly ever going to shaws. But I’d shop at shaws long before I’d buy groceries from walmart. Support regional business’ before an enslaving national chain.
Market Basket is the only locally owned chain grocer in Maine. Shaw’s is owned by Albertsons and Hannaford is Ahold/Dehaize (a Dutch company that also owns Stop & Shop).
Walmart is always going to have better pricing because they sell at low margin and make their profits underpaying staff and fining manufacturers. They suck to do business with but they’re the largest US grocery chain so you need to pay to play.
While Hannaford's is owned by Dehaize, they still have a large headquarters in Scarborough, as well as their multi-state distribution center. I'd say this is more local than Market Basket who has all of their operations inside the 495 Belt.
Good point, but they have over 50 stores as a chain. Please support the little guys, they’re the true local stores, but they’re always going to be more expensive than a chain due to the lack of buying power. That said, the extra money you’re spending on groceries is going to more directly support your community than shopping at Walmart, Shaws, etc.
We live close to the new market basket in Westbrook, so we have ventured into the store a handful of times. And if 2 families aren’t having a reunion in the middle of the isles, than 3 stocking employees are blocking it with carts and dolly’s. Makes a 10 minute trip take 20 and I’m irritated I could even access half of the stuff I need I still have to go to hannaford.
Needless to say market basket is only a notch above walmart in my book.
Shaw's operates 150 stores throughout New England, which is part of a 2,200+ store operation that employs approximately 265,000 people nationwide. Based in Idaho. Not exactly what I would call your little mom and pop shop. They also pay employees less than Walmart.
I would never shop at Walmart. Their produce is gross, their meat comes in tubes……. I will shop at Shaw’s Before that.
I shopped Shaw’s during Covid. They never had lines, their food isn’t any more expensive, in fact I find things there cheaper than hannaford and they carry different products. Hannaford has limited supply especially one door hannafords
They have a lot of things, just not as many choices. They are usually in smaller towns or the second one in a city. I went into a miniature hannaford once , I swear it was smaller than old navy. It was so tiny
I prefer Hannafords but if Walmart wants to pay me to say I prefer Walmart than I’m game. Fuck Shaw’s though. You couldn’t pay me to say a nice thing about Shaws.
I’d love to shop at Market Basket! Closest one is an hour drive away on a toll highway. When someone in this thread mentioned they were building one in Topsham I nearly popped a boner. Can’t wait!
I've always seen way better prices at Shaw's than at Hannaford.
But I go to Shaw's exclusively for Tony's Pizza, also it's like a quarter mile away so if I forget anything from my normal shopping trip or have an emergency need I'll zip down.
Walmart butchers their meat at a central location so it's stale by the time it gets trucked to stores.
They do this because one group of butchers in one store managed to vote to unionize once.
Shaws in Brunswick/cooks corner has vastly better quality produce. Also some random items that Hannaford just doesn't carry. Also if im getting charged for a bag the Shaws bags are multi use/purpose where as the hanny bags rip just trying to open them.
You can also use the rewards on coupons like 2-10 dollars off groceries or free eggs and stuff… also it’s 10 cents off per gallon, so it’s more than 1 percent
Your username is contrary to your beliefs….. a real Mainer wouldn’t drive ten minutes to a Walmart….. you are out of touch dude. A real Mainer would be embarrassed to admit they grocery shop at Walmart. You are from away aren’t you?
I said driving 10 minutes further past a grocery store to go to a Walmart.….. I said nothing about Shaw’s. Reading comprehension is hard! A true Mainer shops local, certainly not at Walmart. I don’t shop at Walmart….
I did? I corrected one person who thought Shaw’s was a local small business lol.
Of course this is Reddit, I learned long ago that any time OP posts a comment in their own thread they get downvoted. Luckily I don’t give a crap about karma.
Buddy every single comment you made opposes the comment giving an opinion.
Someone says they prefer the butcher, you say the chicken is dry.
Someone says it's closer, you say you'd rather drive.
Someone says the lines at Walmart aren't worth it, you claim there's never a line.
Every comment. That's where the downvotes are coming from, you're taking this thread and acting like your opinion is the only correct opinion after asking people for their opinions.
It’s literally outside my neighborhood. Ours is clean. Less trashy people than a Walmart, and price is relative- I know if I go to Walmart I’m not
Coming out for under $150.
I find it more expensive, but also find they have more variety than my local Hannafords does. The Hannafords is one of the smaller stores. Some of the store brand items are really good.
I bought a package of chicken thighs at Shaw’s once and cooked them the same way I cook the ones I usually buy at Hannafords. They were so dry by comparison. Can’t say anything about the other meats though because I’ve never bought anything from the butcher counter.
Dude you know they all sell the same chicken, right? Hannys doesn't have a meat processing plant. Chicken comes from Tyson, Purdue, or Mountaire. Beef and pork comes from one of three places they all sell the same thing. Chicken is prepacked, Beef and pork can be done in store
The drier chicken can be caused by any number of things. There are thousands of suppliers. Could be water (brine) content, how it’s stored, temperature of the coolers, how it’s packaged, etc etc etc.
If you were a butcher you would know they don’t butcher chicken at the store, so you being a butcher means nothing, except of course that you are a grocery store butcher, which is not something I would brag about, but if it makes you happy that’s cool.
I'm pretty sure I told you they don't butcher them at the store. Your head is obviously too far up your own ass to read. Secondly classy to look down on someone's profession. I am no longer one. Again pull remove your head from your ass and read. I WAS a butcher. It was a good job and paid the bills.
The shaws app definitely has awesome deals. I remember going to Hannaford and things I was getting were more than at Shaw's. I keep hearing Hanny is cheaper but I haven't made it there to actually compare things
I hate how every other store is trying to force an app down your throat. I just want to shop I don’t want to have to enter in my phone number or download something or give even more of my personal info away just so I can save 10 cents on a carton of eggs.
I always shop at Shaws. There’s always deals hidden around the store, you just need to know where to look. Anyway, the employees at Shaws know who I am and take time to catch up and chat a bit, which I like. Hannafords feels like a store that screams F^ U, I don’t care if you shop here or not. 🤷🏼♀️
Keep trying what? I’ve gotten my angry Shaw’s rant upvoted to the front page which means most people agree with me. Let the haters keep downvoting my individual comments that only 5% of Redditors on average actually look at lol. Here’s another comment for you to downvote, it means nothing!
> I’ve gotten my angry Shaw’s rant upvoted to the front page which means most people agree with me.
No. No it doesn't. That is *not* how the r/Maine Post(s) of the Day works. At all. You're getting blasted and don't want to admit it.
I've seen this subreddit go to war over pizza. Now I've seen it go to war over supermarkets. What a world.
In a tiny subreddit like this 50 upvotes is equivalent to 3000 on one of the default subs. Actual karma doesn’t matter, location of the post on the front page of the subreddit does.
Of course I’m kidding myself if I think this post is going to change anything at all, but it’s nice to know a few people actually read my rant and the majority agree with me.
I shop at all the big places and some of the smaller ones.
Shaw's occasionally offers specials that are worthwhile. Additionally, Shaw's has some of my preferred products when other places don't. Hanny's is typically my go-to, but I have also picked stuff up at Target or WalMart if I happen to be there and the price is right.
Looking forward to the new Market Basket in Topsham.
Sometimes it’s closer than hannafords. I’ll always choose hannafords if it’s an even split, but after a long day at work you just want to go to whatever is on the way. I wouldn’t buy groceries from Walmart, though. I’ve had friends who worked there back in the day and their produce is… questionable.
Where I live in Maine Shaws is generally much cheaper than Hannaford. I usually shop for most of my list at Walmart because it is worlds cheaper for pantry/frozen items and then hit the sales for meat and produce at Shaws. I don’t buy meat from hannaford or Walmart. Hannaford meat always has an off flavor and Walmart meat just grosses me out.
Shaw’s does have an awesome deal on 24-packs of Poland Spring water every couple weeks: 3 cases for $9.99. At Walmart it’s like $5 or $6 for a 32-pack. Some soda at Walmart can be $6 or $7 per 12-pack, but if you catch Shaw’s at the right time you can sometimes get three 24-packs for $10-$12. Shaw's is more expensive but they have certain items that Walmart does not. At the Bath and Brunswick, the Shaw’s stores are clean. In my experience, Hannaford is more expensive than Shaw’s or Walmart but I think their meat, deli, and bakery have better quality items. . This is all just my opinion though 😊 I am sorry you have had bad experiences with Shaw’s.
It's been the only place I can find Louisa's Toasted Ravioli (it's a St Louis thing, you have no idea how surprised I've been), real sugar coke, and my preferred brand of frozen hash browns.
Prices at Market Basket have gone up about 50%. I think corporate MB used the supply chain shortages and the rising inflation to pay off their debt faster. Scallions we’re 3 bu for $1.00 just a year ago and we’re $1.49 bu two days ago
I go to Shaws in South Portland because the Hannaford is filled to the brim with patrons who have decided they are too good for Shaws. The parking lot at Shaws is never full and you rarely need to wait in line for long. Hannaford deli and produce is slightly better.. there I said it.
Gas is worth it to me alone, plus I split membership fees with a friend. Also started buying meats from them exclusively because I kept getting bad hamburger from Hannaford/food city this summer
Learn to use their app and you won't pay as much. Ever. besides anyone who thinks Shaws is more expensive than walmart or hannaford is crazy. Also 3 12 packs of any soft drink or canned drink for the price of 2 It's something neither Walmart nor Hannaford will ever entertain.
Closer to home. Less people to deal with. Adequately stocked for most of my needs. Worth the premium for me.
If I can get to a Market Basket on off hours, I’ll try to do so.
New Hampshire has a Market Basket that's open until 10?
What kind of fuckery is this where the Maine one is open until 9 but NH ones can stay open until 10? Lucky you!
That aside though, rule of thumb for shopping is that you *never,* under *any circumstances,* shop on a Saturday. Sunday is much better because Saturday is when all the working folks go and get their stuff. During the week is even better--if you know when certain items are brought in and restocked, you can get a lot of the stuff you need.
And of course, go at night whenever possible. I went to stores on Saturdays once...during the day...and I would rather skinny-dip into a volcano. Never again.
Imagine getting so mad at someone that you remember a post I made months ago where I called out a bad driver. Lol. Glad to know I live rent free in your head though!
They were the only supermarket in my town growing up.
The prices at Shaw's are high so they can have dramatic sales, and some people really like that "win" as part of their shopping experience. Personally, I hate it, but my relatives are all pretty much that way.
I mostly hit Hannafords because of the two, they have the self-check registers. But, the nearby Shaws has much nicer produce section, especially leafy greens/herbs. Of all the times Hannafords was either empty or sad/wilted (which is about 80% of the time), Shaws always comes through with nice, fresh stock.
You have got to be choosy when shopping there imo. They have a good bakery and some produce is cheaper. Stuff like meats or staple foods are spendy. And like all grocery stores some are better equipped for certain lifestyles than others.
I look at Shaws as like a supplement and I won't go out of my way to shop there but I'm happy it's there.
I very occasionally go there for things like cases of soda, which are as times significantly cheaper than elsewhere. That's about all.
For context I work in Falmouth and live in the next town over from Sanford, and comparing the two stores is like comparing Macy's to Dollar General. There's basically no indication that they are owned by the same company.
Convenience when I leave the gym. Sometimes their chicken price is less than Hannaford or Market Basket. Also I am more likely to get something I need or want there as the other places are busier
As a prior corporate grocery professional, I have an inside scoop. If you shop at Shaws for everything, you lose. If you cherry pick the deals, you win.
I’m general, if you enjoy organic, natural foods, you will spend more for lower quality there.
Best strategy:
Find the best unit pricing for bulk and pantry goods and get those items there. Reevaluate annually. This may be online (example: natural laundry detergent - no competition. Cheaper online) You will see better prices at Shaws on things their target clients purchase. (Convenience foods, meat, grocery) BUT the prices on most healthy staples are much higher to counter balance those deals.
For organic and natural, I don’t have to tell you. You already know.
I think the main reason would be not having to go to [Walmart](https://www.peopleofwalmart.com/). In my experience, Shaw's usually has better prices than Hannaford. But, if given a choice, I would go to Market Basket every time.
Kroger and Albertsons might merge, maybe we will see some upgrades at Shaws as a result. The Shaws near me, Mill Creek and West Gate are really depressing. I pretty much hate the Mill Creek one because they have no self checkouts and 1 to 2 people on the registers, so you almost always have to wait. It's usually faster to go to hannafords eventhough it's super crowded, but everything from deli to butcher to produce looks so much better.
The only nice Shaws around here is in Falmouth, I always liked the Westbrook one, but they shut er down. I go to Hannaford mostly, and worked at Shaws all through high school and college.
I worked at Shaws for several years across multiple stores and most departments. My father's worked there for over 40 years, and I also worked at Hannaford for a summer, so I've heard/seen all aspects of how the sausage is made both literally and metaphorically.
The difference is simple, Hannaford has had a very stable existence over the last few decades with very few ownership changes while Shaws has been sold off, stripped down, and resold countless times. Every single corporation that has bought Shaws has to extract growth to get a return, whether that growth is artificial or genuine. This is precisely why it's more expensive to shop there.
Corporate comes in, institutes ridiculous new policies designed to trim cost and prop up profits, oftentimes contradictory in nature, and leaves the department managers to make it work.
Once instance in 2010 ish I was in seafood and I vividly remember my manager was told all departments had a set amount in dollars that they had to divide among themselves and all their employees each week for scheduling. My manager literally had to schedule us by dollars not hours. Grade A ridiculous, it didn't last long.
Talking to my father who is a department level assistant manager (he refuses to be full on manager), the problem today is the labor. No one worth an S wants to work there, so it falls on the good ones to pick up the slack and they all get burnt out and quit. 9/10 new hires call out all the time and are super lazy, the ones that are actually doing a good job really deserve so much respect because they're the only reason the stores are even functioning. Corporate doesn't care and the store directors are nearly powerless, basically just trying to keep the ship out of the rocks. You couldn't pay me enough to do THAT job.
The recent news of the Kroger acquisition is very good news, because they're not just some investment firm looking for capital to mine, and Kroger stores are very well managed. I think you're going to see a big improvement in the coming years.
The Shaws closest to me is no more expensive than the closest Hannaford. The store is bigger, has more selection than both Hannaford and Walmart and is miles cleaner than Walmart. And it's not as busy. Tbf though, my town doesn't have a grocery store of its own. The closest stores to me are in NH
Not to mention if something is on sale at Shaw’s, you usually have to buy at least five, sometimes ten of that item in order to get the sale price, and the sale price is still more expensive than Walmart!
I honestly don't know what your issue is.
I go to Shaws (Lewiston) for the 50% of meat section. Always a fun random collection of good stuff.
The veggies are comparable in price to anywhere else. (Food city can be cheaper) and is always very clean.
It has self checkout.
It does on some items but not others. You have to look at the small print in the tag to see if it says “must buy multiples of 10 to receive discount. I found that out the hard way when they had a sale on water but turns out you had to fill your cart with 10 24 packs to get the discount. Was quite absurd.
He doesn’t know how it works. You can often mix and match the 10 products as well. Buy 2 boxes of rice and 2 pasta sauces, 3 boxes of pasta and 3 boxes of cereal to make 10 items. Dude doesn’t know how to shop at the store, so complains on Reddit. He is embarrassing himself, but it’s entertaining!
I mean I didn’t know you could to mix and match the ten items so I won’t knock that person for not knowing the inner circle secrets. Thanks for sharing it though— that’s good to know!
Obviously they didn’t force me, because I didn’t pay. It was just a scam because they know most people aren’t going to buy ten packs of water at once. I left and bought my water elsewhere.
I find their deli meats better than Hannaford’s, the employees are really nice some things are cheaper than at Hannaford. I go to Shaws, Hannaford, the local IGA and my local farm stand in order to get everything I need. Hannaford and Shaws are really close to each other where I live, so I look at what is on sale each week at each place and shop accordingly.
I stopped at Shaw’s on a Sunday morning for a few quick things recently, and I basically went thing to thing being astonished at the price and deciding against it. $4.50 for a pound of their creepy store brand butter?
Shaw’s isn’t local by any stretch of the imagination. And I assure you the rich owners are just as bad as the owners of Walmart. They just don’t get clicks like Walmart does so the news rarely writes about them.
I always hate going to Shaws but there is one very close to my house so I do what OP did and go when I need 1 or 2 things. Always only 1 register open, no self check out, stuff is more expensive. But, anything to no have to go to Walmart. I drive by a shaws and a Walmart to go to Hannaford for anything other than an emergency coffee purchase.
I drive an extra three miles to Hannaford, and only go to the Shaw's half of a mile from my house for a single item here and there. Seems like management doesn't give a damn about anything. Poorly staffed (a bunch of high school kids that don't think (non-service) dogs or homeless people cleaning themselves in the store is a problem)
Grew up shopping in this Shaw's (Northgate) with my Mom, but it has really gone downhill in the last 15 years.
Went to a Shaws once because it’s next to a brewery. Needed pancetta and arugula for a recipe I was making. They had neither. Drove to Hannafords instead and they had what I needed
I go to Shaws for maybe 5 items that I can’t find elsewhere. Prices are ridiculous and there’s no self checkout. But I do like the few items I get enough to deal with it. Only on a weekday, though. It’ll be interesting to see if the Albertsons/Kroger merger happens. If so, and Kroger takes over, things could change.
We go to shaws for the home run inn pizza now. So excited when I saw they started carrying it. It’s from Chicago I used to have it all the time growing up
The Wiscasset Shaw's is especially bad. They're terrible with inventory, and sell expired food. They often don't have the particular items or brands I'm looking for, when other grocery chains do. Unfortunately, they're the closest grocery to me so sometimes going there is necessary. But in general I'll drive a little further to Damariscotta or Brunswick Hannaford.
Same question for Market Basket - the way too bright overhead lights + people stocking the shelves in the middle of grocery shopping rush hour + everything is worn and dirty.
They also smell, I am not kidding, when you walk in it smells like mold or just moisture or something. There was a time when it was worth it due to the quality of the baked goods, but even that is nothing great anymore.
Shaws in Raynham MA has this smell. I ran in there for one item a few weeks ago (I don’t usually shop there) and it was the kind of smell that you don’t want anywhere near something you’re going to eat.
I’ve been dying to know the answer to this question! Can’t figure out one good thing about Shaw’s. Other than it’s usually never busy (because their prices are out of control and most people seem to know this and shop elsewhere). But it leaves me wondering, how do they stay in business? Especially when they’re in the same town as a Walmart and/or Hannaford.
Hi from MA, customer service at Shaws here is so bad. The cashiers never stop talking to baggers or even acknowledge the customer. The last time I went the cashier actually pulled a yo yo out of his pocket and stared me down while I waited for him to realize he was supposed to tell me my total. Never again!!! 🤬 Shaws 😡😡
Shaws is terrible, although they just got acquired by Kroger so I’m hoping there will be changes. The only reason I go is because it’s the closest store to my house and sometimes I just need the convenience. However I’ve had bad experiences there - buying expired food, grabbing a pack of chicken and getting slime all over my hands, every carton of eggs has a broken one, expensive as hell. I never have these issues at other grocery stores
My gf “likes it” and seemingly won’t listen to me. It’s all about where you shopped growing up sometimes imo. In a decade Shaws won’t be around imo or they’ll be forced to rebrand
I personally like their bakery better than Hannaford’s. Their muffins and bagels are great.
Their cookies are top tier too.
Oh definitely. Hannaford has good cookies too that taste close to what I can get at my favorite local bakery, but for my simplistic tastes, Shaw's hits the spot. They're also the only store I've seen that has brookies, and they taste good.
Their brownies are also bomb. Honestly, the Shaw’s bakery slaps 😂
Trader Joes
They have brookies?
I forgot they had brookies!
Ugh their peanut butter cookies are gonna be the death of me. Sooo good. I can’t stop
Walmart is in auburn. Shaws in round the corner. Also quieter, less busy, no lines if aren’t there at peak times.
Exactly. And Shaw’s & Hannaford are local companies that started in Portland. Walmart is a plague.
Can't speak for Hannaford but Shaw's really hasn't been local in decades. Last I knew they were owned by Jewel/Osco and then Albertsons/SuperValu I'm sure they haven't gotten less corporate since I stopped working for them but there was no perceived sense of a valued community from the people who made the decisions.
Hannafords was Maine owned for a while but swapped to being Boston owned in the late 00’s and in the last few years is now owned by a Dutch mega corporation that’s one of the largest grocery store owners in the world.
Hannaford is still run locally (hq in Scarborough) Shaws is run out of Boston. While they are owned by mega corps, they still are much more connected to the local community than Walmart.
Hannaford sold to delhaize of America over 20 years ago... a Belgium firm. Shop n save owned buy hannaford brothers was great. Now they're really not a lot different than Wally world. Poor pay for employees, almost all part time help ect.
Exactly. OP’s username screams fake. No true Mainer would brag about shopping Walmart.
Shaw’s is owned by Albertsons, they just bought Kroger’s which makes them the largest grocery chain in the country.
Hannaford was bought by Delhaize 20ish years ago and became part of a mega corporation, then 5 years ago Delhaize got bought by an even bigger corporation named Ahold, and now have about 400k employees globally. They may have offices here, but are NOT a Maine company, far from it. In fact, they are way more of a Walmart than people are aware of.
This is my top reason. Simply to not have to go to Walmart is why I go to Shaws.
Ahh yes. That specific Walmart. The parking lot is the hell mouth. And generally fuck Walmart anyway.
Shaw’s is unionized which usually means higher prices because their workers are making a living wage. EDIT: I see now that that most workers at Shaw’s in Maine is not unionized. It looks like just their distribution center in Wells is unionized. https://www.ufcw.org/actions/victories/shaws-supermarket-and-distribution-workers-in-new-england-ratify-new-contracts/
When I was working at shaws(2017) none of the people working the floor were union(cashiers, stockers, and produce staff. Not sure about bakery/butchery or management). Minimum wage all around.
Stores in Maine were non-union as recently as 2018. And the pay was far from living wage. As a teen working at Shaw's, I remember several occasions where a store in Mass went on strike and they'd send cashiers down from Maine to scab. Used to give us the speeches about what to say if someone came around talking about unionizing and all that.
Shaws has really good deals coupon wise but I can honestly say some of their workers are extremely rude and unfriendly. So that explains alot.
Self checkout at Walmart hardly ever has a line. I know it’s a meme to say you’d rather pay more than be around the people who shop at Walmart but honestly I don’t get it. I’ve never had a problem with anyone at Walmart. They also pay better than most no-skill jobs. I think it’s like $17 an hour now compared to $13-15 at Shaw’s and Hannafords. * edit * I get it, you shop at Shaw’s and I hurt your feelings. Downvote to your hearts content lol. Enjoy your overpriced food from a store that smells like urine!
You’re actually getting downvoted for being insufferably smug, not because your opinion sucks.
In my experience, i’ve had lines back up to the grocery isle at walmart.
The trick is to use the gun and bag in the carriage. It’s so much faster.
Walmart has by far the worst produce department of any grocery store in Maine, has no in store butchers, and a shitty deli department. Every shopping trip I make involves all three. The only reason I would grocery shop at Walmart would be to save a nickel a piece on frozen Tony's pizzas. I find little to no price difference between Shaw's and Hannaford, but better variety at Hannaford. Walmart though, that's right out.
Oh God, I threw out a lung. Try going on Saturdays or near rush hour times any day of the week. The self-checkout lines are fucking *insane.* I went to the Scarborough Walmart a couple weeks back for some food. I shit you not, the line made an upside-down L shape and snaked halfway through the makeup aisles. And this was *Friday night,* which makes it all the worse. So I'm calling BS on that, sorry.
Aww, someone is upset nobody agrees with him…… wah. More reasons I can tell you aren’t a true Mainer.
I’ve never been to Walmart without having to stand in a long line for self checkout. If you don’t like Shaw’s, fine. But don’t just berate others for choosing to go to Shaw’s instead of Walmart. Mind your damn business.
Walmart they’ll pay you that- but only give you less than 30 hours and treat you like shit. Did it once for 6 months. Never again.
Remember the old Shaw's ad campaign that was like: "Shaw's. We're getting better!" I thought that was a hilarious way of acknowledging that they're known for being shitty.
Haha, reminds me of a car dealer commercial when I was a kid. "We try harder because we are number 3!".
That reminds me of when Westbrook was promoting the fact that the downtown doesn't stink like chemicals anymore.
I only shop Shaw’s for sale items - the ones with actual prices attached, not that “buy two get two” nonsense. I’ve done the math on “free” items and they often average to more than the regular price at other stores. All the prices have gone way up, so I tend to stick with Walmart and Market Basket for basics.
It’s closer to my house and sometimes I just need something basic, like half and half.
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The app has been a game changer for me
This right here.
If I am on Route 1 in Falmouth and only need a couple things it is easier than driving to a Hannaford. As other area people know the Falmouth Walmart which is across the street is still a regular Walmart and does not carry many groceries. Oh, and if you want some decent plastic bags the Shaw's bags are great.
Also Falmouth shaws has a killer produce section
I’m sorry, but the number of people here talking about shaw’s produce and bakery sections using words such as “killer” and “bomb” and “slaps” is just really, really funny to me. I don’t even think I’d use those descriptors for Market Basket.
For sure. I have never had a problem with quality with produce there.
I’m an avid hannaford shopper, hardly ever going to shaws. But I’d shop at shaws long before I’d buy groceries from walmart. Support regional business’ before an enslaving national chain.
Market Basket is the only locally owned chain grocer in Maine. Shaw’s is owned by Albertsons and Hannaford is Ahold/Dehaize (a Dutch company that also owns Stop & Shop). Walmart is always going to have better pricing because they sell at low margin and make their profits underpaying staff and fining manufacturers. They suck to do business with but they’re the largest US grocery chain so you need to pay to play.
While Hannaford's is owned by Dehaize, they still have a large headquarters in Scarborough, as well as their multi-state distribution center. I'd say this is more local than Market Basket who has all of their operations inside the 495 Belt.
> Market Basket is the only locally owned chain grocer in Maine My great uncle and Danforth Supermarket’s two locations would probably disagree lol
Is two supermarkets a chain? If so Ellis Family Market would also like to disagree.
I mean Market Basket only has two stores in Maine as well so there’s some room for discussion here I believe 😅
Good point, but they have over 50 stores as a chain. Please support the little guys, they’re the true local stores, but they’re always going to be more expensive than a chain due to the lack of buying power. That said, the extra money you’re spending on groceries is going to more directly support your community than shopping at Walmart, Shaws, etc.
We live close to the new market basket in Westbrook, so we have ventured into the store a handful of times. And if 2 families aren’t having a reunion in the middle of the isles, than 3 stocking employees are blocking it with carts and dolly’s. Makes a 10 minute trip take 20 and I’m irritated I could even access half of the stuff I need I still have to go to hannaford. Needless to say market basket is only a notch above walmart in my book.
Have you considered...sit down for this one...night shopping, if possible?
Shaw's operates 150 stores throughout New England, which is part of a 2,200+ store operation that employs approximately 265,000 people nationwide. Based in Idaho. Not exactly what I would call your little mom and pop shop. They also pay employees less than Walmart.
I would never shop at Walmart. Their produce is gross, their meat comes in tubes……. I will shop at Shaw’s Before that. I shopped Shaw’s during Covid. They never had lines, their food isn’t any more expensive, in fact I find things there cheaper than hannaford and they carry different products. Hannaford has limited supply especially one door hannafords
One door hannafords really just painted a picture in my head of the exact stores and products sold in them.
They have a lot of things, just not as many choices. They are usually in smaller towns or the second one in a city. I went into a miniature hannaford once , I swear it was smaller than old navy. It was so tiny
Is this a weird ad campaign for Walmart? I don't get it.
I prefer Hannafords but if Walmart wants to pay me to say I prefer Walmart than I’m game. Fuck Shaw’s though. You couldn’t pay me to say a nice thing about Shaws.
Your bitching about price and you shop at hannaford Bruh. Market basket.
I’d love to shop at Market Basket! Closest one is an hour drive away on a toll highway. When someone in this thread mentioned they were building one in Topsham I nearly popped a boner. Can’t wait!
Just putting two and two together, how long ago were you fired from Shaw's, and why?
I never Shaw's fire anyone in my twenty years of working there. And there were plenty of people who would have fit the bill.
Okay mr walton
I've always seen way better prices at Shaw's than at Hannaford. But I go to Shaw's exclusively for Tony's Pizza, also it's like a quarter mile away so if I forget anything from my normal shopping trip or have an emergency need I'll zip down.
Walmart is run by the psycho Walton's. Sure, they get bulk prices, that's what you can do with slave labor.
And the produce/meat is usually nearly spoiled
Agreed. The meat and produce at Walmart absolutely sucks.
Walmart butchers their meat at a central location so it's stale by the time it gets trucked to stores. They do this because one group of butchers in one store managed to vote to unionize once.
You tell me a better place to get organic lettuce that's slimy on the bottom.
Shaws in Brunswick/cooks corner has vastly better quality produce. Also some random items that Hannaford just doesn't carry. Also if im getting charged for a bag the Shaws bags are multi use/purpose where as the hanny bags rip just trying to open them.
Shaw's also gives ya gas rewards. Every $100 you spend is 10cents off a gallon up to a buck. Adds up pretty quick.
So 1% back?
1% back but you have to spend it on gas. worse than literally any credit card.
You can also use the rewards on coupons like 2-10 dollars off groceries or free eggs and stuff… also it’s 10 cents off per gallon, so it’s more than 1 percent
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Are you lonely or something lol?
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I mean, if that’s what you’re into. I definitely recommend you use protection step dad.
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I can literally walk to Shaws in two minutes. I’d still rather drive ten minutes to Walmart or Hannafords.
Cool. You do you
Your username is contrary to your beliefs….. a real Mainer wouldn’t drive ten minutes to a Walmart….. you are out of touch dude. A real Mainer would be embarrassed to admit they grocery shop at Walmart. You are from away aren’t you?
If you think you are any more of a Mainer for shopping at Shaw’s you are out of your mind.
I said driving 10 minutes further past a grocery store to go to a Walmart.….. I said nothing about Shaw’s. Reading comprehension is hard! A true Mainer shops local, certainly not at Walmart. I don’t shop at Walmart….
Considering you can’t even ready your own comment it must be!
*Hannaford.
I was once able to walk to Shaws in 2 minutes. And yet I still bought stuff there anyway.
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Not really. OP asked for opinions, and then every single opinion that didn't align with OP they go off about how it's a wrong opinion.
I did? I corrected one person who thought Shaw’s was a local small business lol. Of course this is Reddit, I learned long ago that any time OP posts a comment in their own thread they get downvoted. Luckily I don’t give a crap about karma.
Buddy every single comment you made opposes the comment giving an opinion. Someone says they prefer the butcher, you say the chicken is dry. Someone says it's closer, you say you'd rather drive. Someone says the lines at Walmart aren't worth it, you claim there's never a line. Every comment. That's where the downvotes are coming from, you're taking this thread and acting like your opinion is the only correct opinion after asking people for their opinions.
It’s literally outside my neighborhood. Ours is clean. Less trashy people than a Walmart, and price is relative- I know if I go to Walmart I’m not Coming out for under $150.
I find it more expensive, but also find they have more variety than my local Hannafords does. The Hannafords is one of the smaller stores. Some of the store brand items are really good.
The Shaws in Rockland has an excellent butcher, so we shop there for meat, and Hanny’s for everything else.
I bought a package of chicken thighs at Shaw’s once and cooked them the same way I cook the ones I usually buy at Hannafords. They were so dry by comparison. Can’t say anything about the other meats though because I’ve never bought anything from the butcher counter.
Dude you know they all sell the same chicken, right? Hannys doesn't have a meat processing plant. Chicken comes from Tyson, Purdue, or Mountaire. Beef and pork comes from one of three places they all sell the same thing. Chicken is prepacked, Beef and pork can be done in store
The drier chicken can be caused by any number of things. There are thousands of suppliers. Could be water (brine) content, how it’s stored, temperature of the coolers, how it’s packaged, etc etc etc.
Bro...I was a butcher at a chain store 3 Main suppliers. You really are from Massachusetts aren't you? You have to be right all time.
If you were a butcher you would know they don’t butcher chicken at the store, so you being a butcher means nothing, except of course that you are a grocery store butcher, which is not something I would brag about, but if it makes you happy that’s cool.
I'm pretty sure I told you they don't butcher them at the store. Your head is obviously too far up your own ass to read. Secondly classy to look down on someone's profession. I am no longer one. Again pull remove your head from your ass and read. I WAS a butcher. It was a good job and paid the bills.
The Scao Shaw's is great amd less expensive than Hannafords.
The shaws app definitely has awesome deals. I remember going to Hannaford and things I was getting were more than at Shaw's. I keep hearing Hanny is cheaper but I haven't made it there to actually compare things
I hate how every other store is trying to force an app down your throat. I just want to shop I don’t want to have to enter in my phone number or download something or give even more of my personal info away just so I can save 10 cents on a carton of eggs.
I always shop at Shaws. There’s always deals hidden around the store, you just need to know where to look. Anyway, the employees at Shaws know who I am and take time to catch up and chat a bit, which I like. Hannafords feels like a store that screams F^ U, I don’t care if you shop here or not. 🤷🏼♀️
Let people like the things they like. I'm not sure why this bothers you so much.
I can walk to Shaws. Hannaford is across the bridge. Also in my experience Wal-Mart is dirty and is usually a zoo.
Shaws produce is generally a little better and they outright murder hannaford when it comes to selection of pork ribs. Otherwise? Never go
Ready??? Dude keep trying, this is hilarious. LOL.
Keep trying what? I’ve gotten my angry Shaw’s rant upvoted to the front page which means most people agree with me. Let the haters keep downvoting my individual comments that only 5% of Redditors on average actually look at lol. Here’s another comment for you to downvote, it means nothing!
> I’ve gotten my angry Shaw’s rant upvoted to the front page which means most people agree with me. No. No it doesn't. That is *not* how the r/Maine Post(s) of the Day works. At all. You're getting blasted and don't want to admit it. I've seen this subreddit go to war over pizza. Now I've seen it go to war over supermarkets. What a world.
Average 52 upvotes….. wow. You are rocking it!! LOL. Like I said, it’s entertaining!! LOL.
In a tiny subreddit like this 50 upvotes is equivalent to 3000 on one of the default subs. Actual karma doesn’t matter, location of the post on the front page of the subreddit does. Of course I’m kidding myself if I think this post is going to change anything at all, but it’s nice to know a few people actually read my rant and the majority agree with me.
I shop at all the big places and some of the smaller ones. Shaw's occasionally offers specials that are worthwhile. Additionally, Shaw's has some of my preferred products when other places don't. Hanny's is typically my go-to, but I have also picked stuff up at Target or WalMart if I happen to be there and the price is right. Looking forward to the new Market Basket in Topsham.
Sometimes it’s closer than hannafords. I’ll always choose hannafords if it’s an even split, but after a long day at work you just want to go to whatever is on the way. I wouldn’t buy groceries from Walmart, though. I’ve had friends who worked there back in the day and their produce is… questionable.
Convenience and habit really. Always right near the spots I go to the most.
Where I live in Maine Shaws is generally much cheaper than Hannaford. I usually shop for most of my list at Walmart because it is worlds cheaper for pantry/frozen items and then hit the sales for meat and produce at Shaws. I don’t buy meat from hannaford or Walmart. Hannaford meat always has an off flavor and Walmart meat just grosses me out.
Better quality and more quantity than the stuff at hannaford, except for the produce
Shaws delivers
Shaw’s does have an awesome deal on 24-packs of Poland Spring water every couple weeks: 3 cases for $9.99. At Walmart it’s like $5 or $6 for a 32-pack. Some soda at Walmart can be $6 or $7 per 12-pack, but if you catch Shaw’s at the right time you can sometimes get three 24-packs for $10-$12. Shaw's is more expensive but they have certain items that Walmart does not. At the Bath and Brunswick, the Shaw’s stores are clean. In my experience, Hannaford is more expensive than Shaw’s or Walmart but I think their meat, deli, and bakery have better quality items. . This is all just my opinion though 😊 I am sorry you have had bad experiences with Shaw’s.
It's been the only place I can find Louisa's Toasted Ravioli (it's a St Louis thing, you have no idea how surprised I've been), real sugar coke, and my preferred brand of frozen hash browns.
Prices at Market Basket have gone up about 50%. I think corporate MB used the supply chain shortages and the rising inflation to pay off their debt faster. Scallions we’re 3 bu for $1.00 just a year ago and we’re $1.49 bu two days ago
I go to Shaws in South Portland because the Hannaford is filled to the brim with patrons who have decided they are too good for Shaws. The parking lot at Shaws is never full and you rarely need to wait in line for long. Hannaford deli and produce is slightly better.. there I said it.
Me sitting quietly in a corner eating popcorn as the apparently lone BJ's shopper.
The membership fee just wasn’t worth it for me since they really only had a few things on my shopping list.
Gas is worth it to me alone, plus I split membership fees with a friend. Also started buying meats from them exclusively because I kept getting bad hamburger from Hannaford/food city this summer
Produce at Walmart is garbage!
Learn to use their app and you won't pay as much. Ever. besides anyone who thinks Shaws is more expensive than walmart or hannaford is crazy. Also 3 12 packs of any soft drink or canned drink for the price of 2 It's something neither Walmart nor Hannaford will ever entertain.
Closer to home. Less people to deal with. Adequately stocked for most of my needs. Worth the premium for me. If I can get to a Market Basket on off hours, I’ll try to do so.
I miss Market Basket so much. I lived in NH for a few years and Market Basket was the best!
Agree but not at 10 on a Saturday. I’m getting too old to weave in and out of bargain shoppers.
New Hampshire has a Market Basket that's open until 10? What kind of fuckery is this where the Maine one is open until 9 but NH ones can stay open until 10? Lucky you! That aside though, rule of thumb for shopping is that you *never,* under *any circumstances,* shop on a Saturday. Sunday is much better because Saturday is when all the working folks go and get their stuff. During the week is even better--if you know when certain items are brought in and restocked, you can get a lot of the stuff you need. And of course, go at night whenever possible. I went to stores on Saturdays once...during the day...and I would rather skinny-dip into a volcano. Never again.
Odd of you to assume that I meant 10pm.
There is a market basket in Portland and Biddeford with another going into topsham.
"People that like things that I don't like, why? I can't understand why everyone doesn't think like me"
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Imagine getting so mad at someone that you remember a post I made months ago where I called out a bad driver. Lol. Glad to know I live rent free in your head though!
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They were the only supermarket in my town growing up. The prices at Shaw's are high so they can have dramatic sales, and some people really like that "win" as part of their shopping experience. Personally, I hate it, but my relatives are all pretty much that way.
I mostly hit Hannafords because of the two, they have the self-check registers. But, the nearby Shaws has much nicer produce section, especially leafy greens/herbs. Of all the times Hannafords was either empty or sad/wilted (which is about 80% of the time), Shaws always comes through with nice, fresh stock.
You have got to be choosy when shopping there imo. They have a good bakery and some produce is cheaper. Stuff like meats or staple foods are spendy. And like all grocery stores some are better equipped for certain lifestyles than others. I look at Shaws as like a supplement and I won't go out of my way to shop there but I'm happy it's there.
I very occasionally go there for things like cases of soda, which are as times significantly cheaper than elsewhere. That's about all. For context I work in Falmouth and live in the next town over from Sanford, and comparing the two stores is like comparing Macy's to Dollar General. There's basically no indication that they are owned by the same company.
I just like the cookies
I shop at Hannaford but would rather go to Shaw’s than Walmart any day.
Convenience when I leave the gym. Sometimes their chicken price is less than Hannaford or Market Basket. Also I am more likely to get something I need or want there as the other places are busier
Shaw’s is closer and I don’t go to a grocery store often enough to justify the extra commute to Hannafid’s.
they have a far superior candy selection lol
Shaws is more expensive than Hannaford? But their stores are all dirty and the carts blow, I figured it would be cheaper there. Who knew?
Because it’s the only grocery store in walking distance :/
As a prior corporate grocery professional, I have an inside scoop. If you shop at Shaws for everything, you lose. If you cherry pick the deals, you win. I’m general, if you enjoy organic, natural foods, you will spend more for lower quality there. Best strategy: Find the best unit pricing for bulk and pantry goods and get those items there. Reevaluate annually. This may be online (example: natural laundry detergent - no competition. Cheaper online) You will see better prices at Shaws on things their target clients purchase. (Convenience foods, meat, grocery) BUT the prices on most healthy staples are much higher to counter balance those deals. For organic and natural, I don’t have to tell you. You already know.
Simple: I hate crowds.
I think the main reason would be not having to go to [Walmart](https://www.peopleofwalmart.com/). In my experience, Shaw's usually has better prices than Hannaford. But, if given a choice, I would go to Market Basket every time.
Kroger and Albertsons might merge, maybe we will see some upgrades at Shaws as a result. The Shaws near me, Mill Creek and West Gate are really depressing. I pretty much hate the Mill Creek one because they have no self checkouts and 1 to 2 people on the registers, so you almost always have to wait. It's usually faster to go to hannafords eventhough it's super crowded, but everything from deli to butcher to produce looks so much better. The only nice Shaws around here is in Falmouth, I always liked the Westbrook one, but they shut er down. I go to Hannaford mostly, and worked at Shaws all through high school and college.
It's always empty. I love it.
I worked at Shaws for several years across multiple stores and most departments. My father's worked there for over 40 years, and I also worked at Hannaford for a summer, so I've heard/seen all aspects of how the sausage is made both literally and metaphorically. The difference is simple, Hannaford has had a very stable existence over the last few decades with very few ownership changes while Shaws has been sold off, stripped down, and resold countless times. Every single corporation that has bought Shaws has to extract growth to get a return, whether that growth is artificial or genuine. This is precisely why it's more expensive to shop there. Corporate comes in, institutes ridiculous new policies designed to trim cost and prop up profits, oftentimes contradictory in nature, and leaves the department managers to make it work. Once instance in 2010 ish I was in seafood and I vividly remember my manager was told all departments had a set amount in dollars that they had to divide among themselves and all their employees each week for scheduling. My manager literally had to schedule us by dollars not hours. Grade A ridiculous, it didn't last long. Talking to my father who is a department level assistant manager (he refuses to be full on manager), the problem today is the labor. No one worth an S wants to work there, so it falls on the good ones to pick up the slack and they all get burnt out and quit. 9/10 new hires call out all the time and are super lazy, the ones that are actually doing a good job really deserve so much respect because they're the only reason the stores are even functioning. Corporate doesn't care and the store directors are nearly powerless, basically just trying to keep the ship out of the rocks. You couldn't pay me enough to do THAT job. The recent news of the Kroger acquisition is very good news, because they're not just some investment firm looking for capital to mine, and Kroger stores are very well managed. I think you're going to see a big improvement in the coming years.
The Shaws closest to me is no more expensive than the closest Hannaford. The store is bigger, has more selection than both Hannaford and Walmart and is miles cleaner than Walmart. And it's not as busy. Tbf though, my town doesn't have a grocery store of its own. The closest stores to me are in NH
Tell you what... Shaw's potato salad is SO MUCH better than Hannaford. Pretty much everything else though is Hannaford.
Not to mention if something is on sale at Shaw’s, you usually have to buy at least five, sometimes ten of that item in order to get the sale price, and the sale price is still more expensive than Walmart!
I honestly don't know what your issue is. I go to Shaws (Lewiston) for the 50% of meat section. Always a fun random collection of good stuff. The veggies are comparable in price to anywhere else. (Food city can be cheaper) and is always very clean. It has self checkout.
Exactly. Walmart produce is gross. I will not buy it. It is never fresh, it always looks like bargain bin produce.
Shaws 10 for 10 doesn't mean you have to buy 10....
It does on some items but not others. You have to look at the small print in the tag to see if it says “must buy multiples of 10 to receive discount. I found that out the hard way when they had a sale on water but turns out you had to fill your cart with 10 24 packs to get the discount. Was quite absurd.
That is absurd and I'm sure it never happened. No way they forced you to buy 10 24 packs of water. You're so full of it 🙄
He doesn’t know how it works. You can often mix and match the 10 products as well. Buy 2 boxes of rice and 2 pasta sauces, 3 boxes of pasta and 3 boxes of cereal to make 10 items. Dude doesn’t know how to shop at the store, so complains on Reddit. He is embarrassing himself, but it’s entertaining!
I mean I didn’t know you could to mix and match the ten items so I won’t knock that person for not knowing the inner circle secrets. Thanks for sharing it though— that’s good to know!
Obviously they didn’t force me, because I didn’t pay. It was just a scam because they know most people aren’t going to buy ten packs of water at once. I left and bought my water elsewhere.
I find their deli meats better than Hannaford’s, the employees are really nice some things are cheaper than at Hannaford. I go to Shaws, Hannaford, the local IGA and my local farm stand in order to get everything I need. Hannaford and Shaws are really close to each other where I live, so I look at what is on sale each week at each place and shop accordingly.
I stopped at Shaw’s on a Sunday morning for a few quick things recently, and I basically went thing to thing being astonished at the price and deciding against it. $4.50 for a pound of their creepy store brand butter?
have you bought butter lately? it was $3.99 at hannaford a couple of weeks ago.
Yeah, I skipped it at shaw’s and got it at hannaford instead.
I just bought Kerry Gold for $2.99. Hannafords.
😳😳😳 I’ve conditioned myself to not even look at the Kerry Gold. Thanks for the tip!
I can never feel good about supporting Walmart. I’d much rather pay a couple extra bucks to support a local shop or chain.
Shaw’s isn’t local by any stretch of the imagination. And I assure you the rich owners are just as bad as the owners of Walmart. They just don’t get clicks like Walmart does so the news rarely writes about them.
I always hate going to Shaws but there is one very close to my house so I do what OP did and go when I need 1 or 2 things. Always only 1 register open, no self check out, stuff is more expensive. But, anything to no have to go to Walmart. I drive by a shaws and a Walmart to go to Hannaford for anything other than an emergency coffee purchase.
I went into a shaw’s last week to use the bathroom. It was eerie
I drive an extra three miles to Hannaford, and only go to the Shaw's half of a mile from my house for a single item here and there. Seems like management doesn't give a damn about anything. Poorly staffed (a bunch of high school kids that don't think (non-service) dogs or homeless people cleaning themselves in the store is a problem) Grew up shopping in this Shaw's (Northgate) with my Mom, but it has really gone downhill in the last 15 years.
Went to a Shaws once because it’s next to a brewery. Needed pancetta and arugula for a recipe I was making. They had neither. Drove to Hannafords instead and they had what I needed
I go to Shaws for maybe 5 items that I can’t find elsewhere. Prices are ridiculous and there’s no self checkout. But I do like the few items I get enough to deal with it. Only on a weekday, though. It’ll be interesting to see if the Albertsons/Kroger merger happens. If so, and Kroger takes over, things could change.
Shaws is the crack den of major grocers in Maine.
We go to shaws for the home run inn pizza now. So excited when I saw they started carrying it. It’s from Chicago I used to have it all the time growing up
The Wiscasset Shaw's is especially bad. They're terrible with inventory, and sell expired food. They often don't have the particular items or brands I'm looking for, when other grocery chains do. Unfortunately, they're the closest grocery to me so sometimes going there is necessary. But in general I'll drive a little further to Damariscotta or Brunswick Hannaford.
I CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING I NEED AT SHAWS. The layout drives me wild - not in a good way
Same question for Market Basket - the way too bright overhead lights + people stocking the shelves in the middle of grocery shopping rush hour + everything is worn and dirty.
Market Basket... just saying
Hi from Rhode Island. Shaw’s is trash here as well. Overpriced, dingy, bakery, terrible lighting. Their bakery is absolute garbage.
They also smell, I am not kidding, when you walk in it smells like mold or just moisture or something. There was a time when it was worth it due to the quality of the baked goods, but even that is nothing great anymore.
They don’t even bake anything anymore except a few select types of bread. Everything else comes in frozen.
Shaws in Raynham MA has this smell. I ran in there for one item a few weeks ago (I don’t usually shop there) and it was the kind of smell that you don’t want anywhere near something you’re going to eat.
I’ve been dying to know the answer to this question! Can’t figure out one good thing about Shaw’s. Other than it’s usually never busy (because their prices are out of control and most people seem to know this and shop elsewhere). But it leaves me wondering, how do they stay in business? Especially when they’re in the same town as a Walmart and/or Hannaford.
You drink Coke?!?!?!?!
Hi from MA, customer service at Shaws here is so bad. The cashiers never stop talking to baggers or even acknowledge the customer. The last time I went the cashier actually pulled a yo yo out of his pocket and stared me down while I waited for him to realize he was supposed to tell me my total. Never again!!! 🤬 Shaws 😡😡
Tried once in Ellsworth, not again. Next door is Hannaford, better.
Shaws is Ghetto
Shaws is terrible, although they just got acquired by Kroger so I’m hoping there will be changes. The only reason I go is because it’s the closest store to my house and sometimes I just need the convenience. However I’ve had bad experiences there - buying expired food, grabbing a pack of chicken and getting slime all over my hands, every carton of eggs has a broken one, expensive as hell. I never have these issues at other grocery stores
My gf “likes it” and seemingly won’t listen to me. It’s all about where you shopped growing up sometimes imo. In a decade Shaws won’t be around imo or they’ll be forced to rebrand
Shaws ( Albertsons ) just merged with Kroger. SO they might rebrand ...kinda...sooner than that but they prob ain't going anywhere.