Albertsons or Fred Meyer? We asked where you prefer to shop and why. Here’s what you said

Treasure Valley residents are no strangers to Albertsons and Fred Meyer grocery stores.

The two grocery giants combine for over 30 stores in the Boise area, and with news Friday that Albertsons Companies Inc. is set to merge with Kroger, the company that owns Fred Meyer, we asked readers which grocery store they prefer.

Of the 69 people who responded to our survey, 40 voted for Fred Meyer compared to 29 for Albertsons. Three people voted for both options.

Reasons included preferring a store’s private label selection to simply choosing the cheaper option — we found, on average, that Fred Meyer is 11.6% cheaper across a selection of common products.

The Idaho Statesman previously reported that between 100 and 375 stores, mostly Albertsons, would be spun off into a new company to allay FTC concerns about excessive market concentration.

Burt P. Flickinger III, managing director of the Strategic Resource Group in New York City, previously told the Statesman that the merger would allow stores to sell products for less money. But Faye Guenther, president of the United Food and Commercial Worker Local 3000, said in a statement that the merger would be “devastating for workers and consumers alike and must be stopped.”

Here are some of the reasons why Statesman readers prefer one of the other:

Albertsons

Ray Fouts

“Best, freshest produce day in and day out. I live in Emmett, so there is no competition, though. This buyout will be a race to the bottom for customer service, quality and pricing. A handful of top execs will become richer beyond their dreams, and the public will pay. Let’s hope the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) stops this buyout.”

Anne Egbert

“Produce, dairy and meat are better at Albertsons. Also, Albertsons coupons and rewards are much easier to use than Fred Meyer’s. Plus, the staff is also friendlier.”

Wendy Richert

“Freshness of their fruits and vegetables, a lot are grown here in Idaho, the selection is wonderful with quite a few ‘made in Idaho’ products. Albertsons’ deli, seafood and meat departments are like no other around the Treasure Valley.

“Also, the flower and seasonal decorations are great, and the bakery serving breakfast croissants and a large variety of desserts is a bonus. I also like to pop in and get a fresh made pizza, sushi, smoked beef brisket, sandwiches, or something else that looks good in the food court. There really is something for everyone.”

Deb Kovach

“I believe in buying local, even if it’s a few cents or a dollar more. Plus, I like the quality of most of Albertsons’ Signature store brands better. I also like that Albertsons is really geared to groceries, with typical household items included, whereas Fred Meyer has clothes, sporting goods, electronics, a garden center, etc. The parking for people with all those zillions of needs is atrocious.”

Fred Meyer

Randy Schneider

“Lived in Garden City since 1998. I’m almost halfway between Freddie’s and Albertsons. I shop at Fred Meyer weekly and pick up a few selected items at Albertsons once a month. Everything about Fred Meyer is better. Price, selection, fresher produce and more helpful employees keep me coming back to Freddie’s.”

Jim Brent

“Quality, service, good selection and great prices compared to most competitors. Their return policy is excellent. In and out quickly. If they are out of something, they make substitutions of equal or superior products at the same price. They have the best fuel rewards program in the area.”

*The Fred Meyer rewards program gives shoppers one point for every dollar they spend, which can be used at Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Centers and participating Shell locations. Albertsons offers a similar program.

Tom Boyd

“Fred Meyer has quality non-food merchandise as well as a good selection of food items at reasonable prices. They have better customer service as well. We typically get $1 off per gallon through their fuel program, which we love. We haven’t shopped at Albertsons much based on several bad experiences and prices.”

Elaine Gloeckle

“It’s a one-stop shop, from groceries to garden, makeup/cosmetics, clothing, household goods, even gasoline. And prices are generally cheaper. Occasionally Albertsons has a sale on something, like ground beef, and I will go there just for that one sale item.”

Both

Cindy Thorngren

“We live on a corner with both stores. Wife tends to shop at Fred Meyer for more bulk items, chocolate milk, clothes, garden and electronics. Husband shops at Albertsons for quick items; a smaller store equals less time walking, quicker checkouts, and has recently moved prescriptions there.”