How to Save Big on Groceries at the Drugstore

It’s tough to beat the convenience of drugstores for picking up some groceries. Many sell a wide variety of packaged foods and household goods, and nearly half of Americans live less than a mile away from one.

But what is the cost of convenience? And is there a way to cut it down? My recent price check showed that although prices overall are more expensive than at the supermarket, you have many ways to slash your grocery bill at the drugstore.

To get answers, I visited the local outposts of the country’s two biggest drugstore chains, CVS and Walgreens.* I then compared prices of more than a dozen brand-name grocery items to those at my local supermarket, Stop & Shop.

The two biggest surprises: Walgreens had slightly lower prices than the supermarket one-third of the time. But CVS and Walgreens offered their share of deals, with markdowns as much as 40 percent. For example, I found Dunkin’ coffee K-cup pods on sale at CVS for $19.99 versus $32.99 at the supermarket, a $13 savings! At Walgreens, I found Glad garbage bags on sale for $8.99 versus $12.49 at Stop & Shop — $3.50 cheaper.

Sales are just the start. Here are strategies to make your grocery dollar go even further.

1. Sign up for rewards. Both CVS and Walgreens have free loyalty programs with worthwhile perks, including special deals and store credits — a.k.a. CVS ExtraBucks Rewards and Walgreens Cash. CVS also has a paid tier, for $5 a month, giving you a $10 monthly bonus reward and 20 percent off store-brand health products; that can pay for itself if you’re a frequent shopper. Members of the MyWalgreens program using its no-annual-fee credit card can get extra cash-back rewards on purchases.

2. Check apps and websites. In addition to promoting special sales, both chains offer generous coupons online. Simply tap or click to add them to your loyalty card. Taking the time to check online for special offers really pays. I recently activated a $5 coupon for Tide liquid detergent, which was on sale at CVS for $14.99, bringing the total to $9.99 versus $12.49 (including a $3 digital coupon) at the supermarket.

3. Strategize your buys. The best way to maximize your savings is to “stack” offers, says Kristin McGrath, senior editor at the Krazy Coupon Lady. In addition to combining manufacturer coupons with sales and loyalty rewards, you can use a rebate app like Ibotta or Fetch — and you might just get an item for free!

4. Try store-brand items. A CVS rep told me the chain is expanding its Well Market line, which competes with Walgreens’ Nice! brand.

5. Read the fine print. Some deals come with strings attached — you may have to buy one to get one at a discount. Also, check if you’re required to buy the item online and pick it up in store. Keep in mind that prices may be different online than they are in store.

6. Stock up during postseason sales. Candy, decorations, cards, gifts, wrapping paper and other items get marked down heavily after holidays.

*CVS and Walgreens pay AARP royalties for use of their intellectual property. AARP members can get discounts at some local and national retailers.