Best Retail Stores That Offer Best Bang for Your Buck

There is no doubt that Walmart dominates the landscape of retail shopping, but many people are not fond of the experience of shopping there. Fortunately, there are dozens of alternatives for people looking to do some retail shopping and save some money at the same time. From clothes, household goods, food and everything in between; there are plenty of options for everyone.

10 Retail Stores for Savvy Shoppers

1. Amazon

Technically, Amazon isn't a retail store, but it is a giant marketplace full of vendors that offer everything under the sun. It doesn't have a brick-and-mortar store per se but Amazon is so big that there are many active users daily. You can’t wander around the isles eyeing up the merchandise. But if you have a good idea of what you are looking for, Amazon will, most of the time, have the best deals. But not always, so don’t assume they will have the best prices. It is still worth shopping around.

2. Target

Unless you have been living under a rock, you should already be familiar with Target. Along with Walmart they are one of the leading retail stores. Similarly, they are a one-stop shop for clothing, toys, household goods, food, sporting goods, electronics, and lots more. You name it and they probably have it. Prices are usually very competitive, and the quality is typically very good. They might not have a huge selection of particular items, there may only be one or two options depending on what you are shopping for, but you can almost always find what you need.

3. Aldi

Originally from Germany, Aldi has recently been taking America by storm. Although they primarily sell grocery items, they also do get in a mix of other goods as well. One of the reasons they offer such good bargains is because most of the products in the store are distributed by Aldi as well. You won’t find many name brand food items there, but the brands you do find will be just as good, if not better and less expensive.

4. Nordstrom Rack

A sister brand to the luxury department store Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack is a retail store that focuses on discount clothing. They have 348 stores in over 41 states in the US and have generated over $2.5 billion in sales since 2013. Here, you can find up to 70% off clothes, shoes, accessories, and even décor for your house.

5. BJ's

Unlike other retail stores, BJ’s is a membership-only warehouse club that is similar to Sam’s Club or Costco. You can find all sorts of amazing deals if you are a member. If you aren’t sure if you want to join or not, don’t fret, as they offer a 1-day online pass where you can shop and order from BJs.com for 24 hours and see all that they have to offer. While BJ’s sells mostly food, they also sell a lot of clothes, electronics, home goods, and even liquor.

6. Old Navy

Old Navy is another retail store that sells primarily clothes and accessories. However, one thing that sets Old Navy aside is that it sells its own brand of clothing, so it is able to offer a discount. Their in-house designers are from brands such as Coach, Nike, Reebok, and Northface. So you can get name-brand styles at discounted prices.

7. Lidl

Another German retail store that is gaining traction in the US is Lidl. While primarily only found on the East Coast, they have opened over 150 stores since coming to America in 2017. They sell high-quality produce, baked goods, meat, household products, and much more. Rather than selling countless brands they work closely with vendors to offer high-quality products at competitive prices.

8. Costco

Like BJ’s, Costco is a membership-only retail store that offers huge discounts, especially on bulk items. If you have a large family or go through large quantities of certain grocery items, then Costco is for you. As a Costco member, you can find amazing deals on so many other goods, too, like clothes, electronics, toys, and even a new car. Costco is also famous for its hotdog and soda combo, where you can get a ¼ pound hotdog and 20oz soda for $1.50, which is the same price it was when Ronald Regan was president.

9. Kohl's

With over 1,100 locations, Kohl's is one of the largest retail store chains in the United States. While they are considered more of a “department store”, they can offer deals on countless items. Operating since 1962, they sell national and “exclusive” brands at competitive prices. They sell clothing, jewelry, household goods, patio/outdoor furniture, and so much more. Kohl's also has a great rewards program for its customers, so you can earn rewards towards future purchases every time you shop.

10. Tesco

You won’t see this retail store in the US since they pulled out of the market in 2013, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are one of the largest retailers in the world. Originally based in England, they have stores throughout the UK and Ireland as well as the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. At Tesco, you can find great deals on groceries, household goods, health & beauty products, and even clothing.

Shopping by Comparison

While all of these retail stores can offer deep discounts, it can be hard to figure out what deals are the best for you.  Depending on what you are shopping for, one store might be a better option than another.  But instead of driving around town comparing prices, why not let someone do it for you?  There are tools online, like Price.com or Karma that you can visit that will compare prices for you to find the best deal.  Simply type what you are looking for into the search bar and they will automatically scan the web for the best deals available.  You can also pull up one of these resources while you are out at the big retail stores and compare prices while you shop, to make sure you are maximizing your savings.  So get out there and start bargain hunting, new deals are popping up every day.