I went grocery shopping at Wegmans and Trader Joe's in New York City. While Wegmans had way more to offer, I'm still a die-hard Trader Joe's fan.

Talia LakritzJan 14, 2024, 03:43 IST

The author shopping at the new Wegmans in New York City.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I visited the new Wegmans store in Manhattan, as well as a New York City Trader Joe's location.
Wegmans had a dizzying array of prepared foods, grocery items, and household essentials.

Trader Joe's is my favorite grocery store.

The prices are some of the lowest I've seen in New York City, and I can't get enough of its festive seasonal and specialty items. Plus, the employees are known for being friendly, which makes the long checkout lines worth it. I make weekly trips, even though it means carrying heavy bags on the 45-minute subway ride home.

When I heard about the new Wegmans store that opened in Manhattan in October, I decided to pay a visit to compare the prices, selection, and shopping experience with Trader Joe's. I was shocked by the size and variety of its offerings and would definitely shop there again, but I'm still a devoted Trader Joe's fan.

Take a look inside both stores.

The new Wegmans store in Manhattan is located at 770 Broadway inside what used to be the Astor Place Kmart.

Wegmans in New York City.Talia Lakritz/Insider

It spans 82,000 square feet and features two levels of groceries and takeout counters — much larger than any Trader Joe's I've been to.

The entrance to Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Upon walking into the store, a Wegmans employee handed me a store directory to help me find my way around.

A store directory.Talia Lakritz/Insider

On the ground floor, I was amazed by the large number of takeout counters featuring a variety of cuisines.

To-go food counters at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There were also various bakery counters selling fresh breads and elaborate pastries.

Pastries at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Wegmans featured screens advertising the store's offerings.

Escalators to the store's lower level.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I took the escalator down to the lower level and found a giant grocery store with seemingly endless aisles.

The lower level of Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

In addition to many store-brand items, Wegmans sold name-brand products that Trader Joe's doesn't have.

Snacks at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The store featured a small selection of kitchen supplies like foil pans and Pyrex containers, which Trader Joe's doesn't sell, either.

Foil pans at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There were even a few aisles of toiletries, cosmetics, and over-the-counter medications, which I've rarely seen in New York grocery stores.

An aisle of toiletries.Talia Lakritz/Insider

In the dairy section, an employee handed out samples of Parmesan cheese.

Parmesan cheese samples at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The strong smell of fish hit me as I walked past one of the fresh fish counters.

A fish counter at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The new Wegmans store features an area dedicated to Instacart shoppers and online orders — a service not available through Trader Joe's.

An ecommerce fulfillment area at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Aside from a small squash display, I was surprised that I didn't see more seasonal items during my late October visit.

Squash at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Wegmans offered both cashiers and self-service checkout. I was shocked when a camera inside the kiosk successfully identified the root vegetables I was purchasing to make soup.

Self-service checkout at Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Wegmans offered both cashiers and self-service checkout. I was shocked when a camera inside the kiosk successfully identified the root vegetables I was purchasing to make soup.

Overall, I could definitely see myself shopping at Wegmans regularly. The only thing it seemed to be missing was seasonal fall treats.

The author shopping at the new Wegmans in New York City.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Next, I ventured to Trader Joe's in Soho. At 19,000 square feet, it's less than a quarter of the size of Wegmans, though it's not the largest of Manhattan's eight locations.

Trader Joe's in New York City.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Next, I ventured to Trader Joe's in Soho. At 19,000 square feet, it's less than a quarter of the size of Wegmans, though it's not the largest of Manhattan's eight locations.

Immediately upon walking inside, I encountered fall-themed decor with rustic floral arrangements and gourds in wooden barrels.

A seasonal display at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The autumn theme continued throughout the store, which made the chore of grocery shopping feel delightfully festive to me.

A fall seasonal display at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I preferred Trader Joe's charming, hand-painted signs over Wegmans' giant screens.

Seasonal decor at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

In addition to groceries, Trader Joe's sold adorable fall-themed decor like felted wool pumpkins.

A felted wool pumpkin at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Trader Joe's didn't have sushi or fresh-fish counters like Wegmans, but it offered a small selection of seafood.

Fish at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

It didn't stock nearly as much produce as Wegmans did, either.

Produce at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The one section of pre-made wraps and salads couldn't compare to the enormous Wegmans food hall full of fresh meals.

A packaged salad at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Trader Joe's selection of toiletries and cosmetics was limited to three shelves.

Toiletries and cosmetics at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

However, this Trader Joe's did offer a more robust and affordable flower section than Wegmans, where the smallest bouquets cost $2 more.

Flowers at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Some items, such as Greek-yogurt cups and pasta, cost the same at Wegmans and Trader Joe's.

Trader Joe's Greek yogurt.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Overall, prices were lower at Trader Joe's. For example, a loaf of whole-wheat bread cost 50 cents less there.

A loaf of whole wheat bread from Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The Wegmans self-service checkout was convenient, but it didn't compare to the friendliness of Trader Joe's cashiers. I chatted with the employee who bagged my groceries like we were old friends.

Checkout counters at Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The Wegmans self-service checkout was convenient, but it didn't compare to the friendliness of Trader Joe's cashiers. I chatted with the employee who bagged my groceries like we were old friends.

While Wegmans has a much wider selection of items, I still prefer the specialty items and shopping experience at Trader Joe's.

The author outside Trader Joe's.Talia Lakritz/Insider

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I went grocery shopping at Wegmans and Trader Joe's in New York City. While Wegmans had way more to offer, I'm still a die-hard Trader Joe's fan.

The new Wegmans store in Manhattan is located at 770 Broadway inside what used to be the Astor Place Kmart.

It spans 82,000 square feet and features two levels of groceries and takeout counters — much larger than any Trader Joe's I've been to.

Upon walking into the store, a Wegmans employee handed me a store directory to help me find my way around.

On the ground floor, I was amazed by the large number of takeout counters featuring a variety of cuisines.

There were also various bakery counters selling fresh breads and elaborate pastries.

Wegmans featured screens advertising the store's offerings.

I took the escalator down to the lower level and found a giant grocery store with seemingly endless aisles.

In addition to many store-brand items, Wegmans sold name-brand products that Trader Joe's doesn't have.

The store featured a small selection of kitchen supplies like foil pans and Pyrex containers, which Trader Joe's doesn't sell, either.

There were even a few aisles of toiletries, cosmetics, and over-the-counter medications, which I've rarely seen in New York grocery stores.

In the dairy section, an employee handed out samples of Parmesan cheese.

The strong smell of fish hit me as I walked past one of the fresh fish counters.

The new Wegmans store features an area dedicated to Instacart shoppers and online orders — a service not available through Trader Joe's.

Aside from a small squash display, I was surprised that I didn't see more seasonal items during my late October visit.

Wegmans offered both cashiers and self-service checkout. I was shocked when a camera inside the kiosk successfully identified the root vegetables I was purchasing to make soup.

Overall, I could definitely see myself shopping at Wegmans regularly. The only thing it seemed to be missing was seasonal fall treats.

Next, I ventured to Trader Joe's in Soho. At 19,000 square feet, it's less than a quarter of the size of Wegmans, though it's not the largest of Manhattan's eight locations.

Immediately upon walking inside, I encountered fall-themed decor with rustic floral arrangements and gourds in wooden barrels.

The autumn theme continued throughout the store, which made the chore of grocery shopping feel delightfully festive to me.

I preferred Trader Joe's charming, hand-painted signs over Wegmans' giant screens.

In addition to groceries, Trader Joe's sold adorable fall-themed decor like felted wool pumpkins.

Trader Joe's didn't have sushi or fresh-fish counters like Wegmans, but it offered a small selection of seafood.

It didn't stock nearly as much produce as Wegmans did, either.

The one section of pre-made wraps and salads couldn't compare to the enormous Wegmans food hall full of fresh meals.

Trader Joe's selection of toiletries and cosmetics was limited to three shelves.

However, this Trader Joe's did offer a more robust and affordable flower section than Wegmans, where the smallest bouquets cost $2 more.

Some items, such as Greek-yogurt cups and pasta, cost the same at Wegmans and Trader Joe's.

Overall, prices were lower at Trader Joe's. For example, a loaf of whole-wheat bread cost 50 cents less there.

The Wegmans self-service checkout was convenient, but it didn't compare to the friendliness of Trader Joe's cashiers. I chatted with the employee who bagged my groceries like we were old friends.

While Wegmans has a much wider selection of items, I still prefer the specialty items and shopping experience at Trader Joe's.