I compared Whole Foods and Wegmans, and the smaller chain is the clear winner due to thoughtful design and private label grocery staples

Mary MeisenzahlDec 13, 2022, 16:56 IST

Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I visited Wegmans and Whole Foods locations in Western New York.
Both chains have cheese shops, bakeries, and other specialty shops.

Wegmans and Whole Foods are both relatively high-end grocery stores with passionate fans, so I visited both to see how they compare.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider Getty

Wegmans is a beloved regional grocery chain founded and based in my hometown of Rochester, New York.

Shutterstock/tarheel1776

I don't tend to do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans, but I visited to remember why the chain has such a loyal following — taking the No. 1 slot in a recent national survey of grocery customers.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I don't tend to do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans, but I visited to remember why the chain has such a loyal following — taking the No. 1 slot in a recent national survey of grocery customers.

Wegmans has 109 stores around the Northeast United States, including highly anticipated locations in Brooklyn and a suburb of Boston.

Courtesy of Wegmans

I visited the East Avenue location in Rochester around 5 pm on a Tuesday, and it was completely packed.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Despite a large parking lot, it's almost always nearing full at this location, and there's often a police officer stationed in the lot to handle traffic.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's a coffee bar immediately to the right of the entrance.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Displays around the entryway change throughout the year, but during my trip they were themed around holiday hosting.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The store is set up as if you were already hosting a gathering, with snacks and drinks near the entrance, next to the flower shop.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The fruit and vegetable trays are on the less expensive end, while cheese trays are pricier.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cheese counter is one of the more unique things about Wegmans because it carries types of cheese I don't normally see at Walmart, Aldi, or even Trader Joe's.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are also employees who are experts on cheese who can make recommendations, with similar workers in each section with knowledge about the displays.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cheese counter is separate from the deli, which has its own selection of meats and cheeses.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The huge selection of prepared foods is definitely one of the big draws of Wegmans, which has a hot bar with takeout meals and offers catering.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The bakery makes all kinds of breads and baked goods.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are always fresh bagels available, and the bakery also takes custom cake orders.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Unlike other grocery stores I've been to, for example, there's an entire display dedicated to smoked fish.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

While most grocery stores have some pre-made salad bowls, Wegmans has dozens of varieties.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

That level of selection extends to the rest of the produce section, which carries fruits I don't usually see at other grocery stores like starfruit, jackfruit, and cherimoya.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

That level of selection extends to the rest of the produce section, which carries fruits I don't usually see at other grocery stores like starfruit, jackfruit, and cherimoya.

I think a lot of the appeal of Wegmans comes from the design of the store, which is cozy and warmer than a standard grocery store, rather than the products for sale.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's a small train that drives over the refrigerated food section.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are plenty of grocery staples in addition to the specialty foods.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

For most items, the selection ranges from relatively low-priced Wegmans brand to standard brand names up to more specialty options that aren't typically available at Walmart.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

For most items, the selection ranges from relatively low-priced Wegmans brand to standard brand names up to more specialty options that aren't typically available at Walmart.

This is true in just about every section, with a huge selection of any grocery item you could need.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Wegmans also caters its offerings to the local market, like selling Josh's Jaqs cereal in Rochester to Buffalo Bills fans, and locally brewed Genesee beer.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A back corner of the store is dedicated to a fairly extensive beer selection with both local and national brands.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The far end of the store has a pharmacy and aisles of hygiene and beauty products.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

With most of the store dedicated to food, there's one aisle dedicated to dishes, kitchen tools and other homewares.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chain did $11.2 billion in sales in 2021, and employs more than 50,000 people, according to the company.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I love the huge selection, and the prepared foods are always delicious whenever I've gotten them. They're especially great to bring to parties or events.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Unfortunately, all the things that make Wegmans different from other grocery stores are also the most expensive, so I can't usually justify that for a regular grocery trip.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Unfortunately, all the things that make Wegmans different from other grocery stores are also the most expensive, so I can't usually justify that for a regular grocery trip.

I don't do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans because I can find lower prices elsewhere, but I still consider the gold standard and my favorite place to shop for food.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I don't do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans because I can find lower prices elsewhere, but I still consider the gold standard and my favorite place to shop for food.

Next up I visited Whole Foods. the Amazon-owned supermarket known for its organic food.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chain has just over 500 locations, making it about five times as large as Wegmans, and did $16 billion in sales in 2017, the last year for which data is available.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The entryway has an Amazon pickup locker and signs about how to use your Amazon Prime membership to get better deals in the store.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The produce section was impressive for the store's size, though not as large as Wegmans'.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Whole Foods definitely beats Wegmans in the breadth of organic options, though.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Whole Foods had Italian food-themed displays posted around the store similar to end caps at Wegmans, although the ones at Whole Foods seemed to be placed less thoughtfully, like cheese and olive oil next to produce.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Whole Foods had Italian food-themed displays posted around the store similar to end caps at Wegmans, although the ones at Whole Foods seemed to be placed less thoughtfully, like cheese and olive oil next to produce.

Whole Foods has the same type of specialty shops inside as Wegmans does, but they take up a larger proportion of the store because it has a smaller overall footprint than Wegmans.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider.com

Whole Foods has the same type of specialty shops inside as Wegmans does, but they take up a larger proportion of the store because it has a smaller overall footprint than Wegmans.

The seafood counter was really impressive, with a variety of fish, clams, and octopus that Wegmans doesn't carry.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider.com

The smoked fish selection, though, was on par with Wegmans.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider.com

A freezer next to the counter had less expensive fish and mussels in the private label 365 brands, making seafood one area where Whole Foods beats Wegmans on selection.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider.com

The butcher counter was also large and impressive, even bigger than the one at Wegmans.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider.com

There was a significant variety of pre-packaged meats too, including bison and lamb in addition to standard items like chicken, beef, and sausage, which was more varied than at Wegmans.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was a significant variety of pre-packaged meats too, including bison and lamb in addition to standard items like chicken, beef, and sausage, which was more varied than at Wegmans.

Whole Foods is clearly catering to customers looking for alternatives to meat, dairy, and other popular mainstream products with large displays of plant milk and alternative meats.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider.com

Whole Foods is clearly catering to customers looking for alternatives to meat, dairy, and other popular mainstream products with large displays of plant milk and alternative meats.

The chain has been criticized by analysts for not differentiating itself enough from other grocery stores, but at least in this location Whole Foods is positioning itself as "America's healthiest grocery store" with a neon sign.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chain has been criticized by analysts for not differentiating itself enough from other grocery stores, but at least in this location Whole Foods is positioning itself as "America's healthiest grocery store" with a neon sign.

Whole Foods had the most robust plant-based protein section I've seen in a grocery store, with multiple types of tofu plus meat substitutes.

Mary Meisenzah/Insider

"We believe in real food" is painted on the wall above another refrigerated section, which reminded me of Wegmans' slogan for its private label brand: "food you feel good about."

Mary Meisenzah/Insider

"We believe in real food" is painted on the wall above another refrigerated section, which reminded me of Wegmans' slogan for its private label brand: "food you feel good about."

The last section of the store you walk through has containers of handmade pasta for sale, much more prominently displayed than at Wegmans.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cheese counter was bigger than the one at Wegmans, though it didn't necessarily seem to have a larger selection, so the space could maybe have been used better for something else.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cheese counter was bigger than the one at Wegmans, though it didn't necessarily seem to have a larger selection, so the space could maybe have been used better for something else.

Next to the cheese counter, there was a bakery with breads, bagels, and cakes.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The bakery seemed on par with Wegmans'.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Both stores had hot food bars near checkout that looked and smelled delicious, with mostly the same types of soups, salads, and side dishes.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Both stores also sell sushi platters, although I thought the one at Whole Foods looked more appealing.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

To get to the checkout at Whole Foods, you have to walk past a coffee and juice bar, while Wegmans' coffee shop is located at the entrance.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

While I can see the appeal of both grocery stores, Wegmans was the clear winner on several fronts.

Freezers at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Both stores seem to position themselves as elevated above a regular grocery store, implying that they sell healthier or more "real" foods that you can get from a deli, cheese shop, and bakery while staying inside a single store.

Mary Meisenzah/Insider

Both stores seem to position themselves as elevated above a regular grocery store, implying that they sell healthier or more "real" foods that you can get from a deli, cheese shop, and bakery while staying inside a single store.

Whole Foods prioritizes these shops and displays to the point where it's difficult to shop for actual grocery staples like canned goods, pasta sauce, or baking supplies, especially on the lower end of the price range.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider.com

Whole Foods prioritizes these shops and displays to the point where it's difficult to shop for actual grocery staples like canned goods, pasta sauce, or baking supplies, especially on the lower end of the price range.

However, Wegmans' layout and larger footprint are much more conducive to buying grocery necessities, with more affordable private label brands and more space dedicated to non-specialty groceries.

My first look at the inside of Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

However, Wegmans' layout and larger footprint are much more conducive to buying grocery necessities, with more affordable private label brands and more space dedicated to non-specialty groceries.

I might go to Whole Foods to pick buy octopus or kombucha, but I could never see it being a primary shopping destination.

Inside of Wegmans located in Brooklyn, New York.Tallie Spencer/Insider

I compared the price of organic groceries at Walmart and Whole Foods and found the latter was more competitive than I expected

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I compared Whole Foods and Wegmans, and the smaller chain is the clear winner due to thoughtful design and private label grocery staples

Wegmans and Whole Foods are both relatively high-end grocery stores with passionate fans, so I visited both to see how they compare.

Wegmans is a beloved regional grocery chain founded and based in my hometown of Rochester, New York.

I don't tend to do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans, but I visited to remember why the chain has such a loyal following — taking the No. 1 slot in a recent national survey of grocery customers.

Wegmans has 109 stores around the Northeast United States, including highly anticipated locations in Brooklyn and a suburb of Boston.

I visited the East Avenue location in Rochester around 5 pm on a Tuesday, and it was completely packed.

Despite a large parking lot, it's almost always nearing full at this location, and there's often a police officer stationed in the lot to handle traffic.

There's a coffee bar immediately to the right of the entrance.

Displays around the entryway change throughout the year, but during my trip they were themed around holiday hosting.

The store is set up as if you were already hosting a gathering, with snacks and drinks near the entrance, next to the flower shop.

The fruit and vegetable trays are on the less expensive end, while cheese trays are pricier.

The cheese counter is one of the more unique things about Wegmans because it carries types of cheese I don't normally see at Walmart, Aldi, or even Trader Joe's.

There are also employees who are experts on cheese who can make recommendations, with similar workers in each section with knowledge about the displays.

The cheese counter is separate from the deli, which has its own selection of meats and cheeses.

The huge selection of prepared foods is definitely one of the big draws of Wegmans, which has a hot bar with takeout meals and offers catering.

The bakery makes all kinds of breads and baked goods.

There are always fresh bagels available, and the bakery also takes custom cake orders.

Unlike other grocery stores I've been to, for example, there's an entire display dedicated to smoked fish.

While most grocery stores have some pre-made salad bowls, Wegmans has dozens of varieties.

That level of selection extends to the rest of the produce section, which carries fruits I don't usually see at other grocery stores like starfruit, jackfruit, and cherimoya.

I think a lot of the appeal of Wegmans comes from the design of the store, which is cozy and warmer than a standard grocery store, rather than the products for sale.

There's a small train that drives over the refrigerated food section.

There are plenty of grocery staples in addition to the specialty foods.

For most items, the selection ranges from relatively low-priced Wegmans brand to standard brand names up to more specialty options that aren't typically available at Walmart.

This is true in just about every section, with a huge selection of any grocery item you could need.

Wegmans also caters its offerings to the local market, like selling Josh's Jaqs cereal in Rochester to Buffalo Bills fans, and locally brewed Genesee beer.

A back corner of the store is dedicated to a fairly extensive beer selection with both local and national brands.

The far end of the store has a pharmacy and aisles of hygiene and beauty products.

With most of the store dedicated to food, there's one aisle dedicated to dishes, kitchen tools and other homewares.

The chain did $11.2 billion in sales in 2021, and employs more than 50,000 people, according to the company.

I love the huge selection, and the prepared foods are always delicious whenever I've gotten them. They're especially great to bring to parties or events.

Unfortunately, all the things that make Wegmans different from other grocery stores are also the most expensive, so I can't usually justify that for a regular grocery trip.

I don't do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans because I can find lower prices elsewhere, but I still consider the gold standard and my favorite place to shop for food.

Next up I visited Whole Foods. the Amazon-owned supermarket known for its organic food.

The chain has just over 500 locations, making it about five times as large as Wegmans, and did $16 billion in sales in 2017, the last year for which data is available.

The entryway has an Amazon pickup locker and signs about how to use your Amazon Prime membership to get better deals in the store.

The produce section was impressive for the store's size, though not as large as Wegmans'.

Whole Foods definitely beats Wegmans in the breadth of organic options, though.

Whole Foods had Italian food-themed displays posted around the store similar to end caps at Wegmans, although the ones at Whole Foods seemed to be placed less thoughtfully, like cheese and olive oil next to produce.

Whole Foods has the same type of specialty shops inside as Wegmans does, but they take up a larger proportion of the store because it has a smaller overall footprint than Wegmans.

The seafood counter was really impressive, with a variety of fish, clams, and octopus that Wegmans doesn't carry.

The smoked fish selection, though, was on par with Wegmans.

A freezer next to the counter had less expensive fish and mussels in the private label 365 brands, making seafood one area where Whole Foods beats Wegmans on selection.

The butcher counter was also large and impressive, even bigger than the one at Wegmans.

There was a significant variety of pre-packaged meats too, including bison and lamb in addition to standard items like chicken, beef, and sausage, which was more varied than at Wegmans.

Whole Foods is clearly catering to customers looking for alternatives to meat, dairy, and other popular mainstream products with large displays of plant milk and alternative meats.

The chain has been criticized by analysts for not differentiating itself enough from other grocery stores, but at least in this location Whole Foods is positioning itself as "America's healthiest grocery store" with a neon sign.

Whole Foods had the most robust plant-based protein section I've seen in a grocery store, with multiple types of tofu plus meat substitutes.

"We believe in real food" is painted on the wall above another refrigerated section, which reminded me of Wegmans' slogan for its private label brand: "food you feel good about."

The last section of the store you walk through has containers of handmade pasta for sale, much more prominently displayed than at Wegmans.

The cheese counter was bigger than the one at Wegmans, though it didn't necessarily seem to have a larger selection, so the space could maybe have been used better for something else.

Next to the cheese counter, there was a bakery with breads, bagels, and cakes.

The bakery seemed on par with Wegmans'.

Both stores had hot food bars near checkout that looked and smelled delicious, with mostly the same types of soups, salads, and side dishes.

Both stores also sell sushi platters, although I thought the one at Whole Foods looked more appealing.

To get to the checkout at Whole Foods, you have to walk past a coffee and juice bar, while Wegmans' coffee shop is located at the entrance.

While I can see the appeal of both grocery stores, Wegmans was the clear winner on several fronts.

Both stores seem to position themselves as elevated above a regular grocery store, implying that they sell healthier or more "real" foods that you can get from a deli, cheese shop, and bakery while staying inside a single store.

Whole Foods prioritizes these shops and displays to the point where it's difficult to shop for actual grocery staples like canned goods, pasta sauce, or baking supplies, especially on the lower end of the price range.

However, Wegmans' layout and larger footprint are much more conducive to buying grocery necessities, with more affordable private label brands and more space dedicated to non-specialty groceries.

I might go to Whole Foods to pick buy octopus or kombucha, but I could never see it being a primary shopping destination.