In August, food prices have soared 32% since the same month in 2019, according to data from the Federal Reserve. The latest estimate from the USDA predicts they'll climb another 2.2% before the year's over, due, in part, to the impact of Trump's tariffs on groceries.
Fortunately, there are ways to shave costs on everyday essentials. One of the lesser known secrets to combatting inflation on your grocery bill is the Amazon Grocery Outlet. Tucked away in a hard-to-find corner of Amazon's website, this grocery outlet is packed with food and beverages at deep discounts.
You don't even have to be an Amazon Prime member to shop, though it helps to join if you want free same-day or next-day shipping on your order.
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Amazon Grocery Outlet categories
The selection on Amazon's grocery outlet is primarily limited to shelf-stable foods. For fresh groceries like produce or raw meat, you'll need to see if you're in one of the thousands of cities where Amazon now offers same-day delivery on fresh groceries.
While you won't find produce, you will find meat and seafood — Slim Jim Steakhouse Strips and StarKist canned tuna, to be exact. The Amazon Grocery Outlet also carries pantry staples, baby food, beverages, snacks and sweets, bread and non-perishable items.
The beauty of it is that, unlike other grocery outlets that are confined to mostly house brands, Amazon Prime Grocery Outlet has everything — major manufacturers, unknowns, and boutiques. You can also use the search function in Amazon Grocery Outlet, another plus.
- Deals and discounts: This page offers grocery “coupons” at checkout, saving an additional 10%, or specific dollar savings, including $10 off. Items might include cookie mix, peanut butter, teas, dehydrated fruits, spices and much more.
- Snacks: Here you’ll find chips and crisps, cookies, meat snacks, crackers and pretzels, as well as gift baskets. You'll also find various dips, nuts and seeds, fruit snacks and popcorn.
- Breakfast foods: includes cereals, toaster pastries, instant breakfast drinks and more.
- Baby food: baby formula, cereal and porridge and snack foods.
- Cooking staples: Here you’ll find packaged meals and side dishes, meat, poultry and seafood (think canned and dry), vegetables, beans and peas, and Sloppy Joe mix, happily important enough to merit its own category.
- International foods: Shop by specific food category (spices, pasta, breads, etc.) or by popular cuisines, including Asian, Indian and Latin cuisine.
- SNAP-eligible groceries: You can pretty much buy any type of food with your SNAP EBT on Amazon. Look for items labeled SNAP EBT Eligible.
- Other categories include warm and cold beverages, candy and chocolate, and products in Amazon’s Subscribe & Save collection.
Amazon Grocery Outlet deals
To give you an idea of what kinds of groceries you can save on when you shop at the Amazon Grocery Outlet, we've rounded up some of our favorite deals available on Amazon right now.
- Annie's Macaroni and Classic Cheddar, 12-pack, $11.76 (originally $16.47)
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal Express Cups, 4 Flavor Variety Pack, 12-pack, $11.88 (originally $16.98)
- 52USA Garlic Powder, 22 oz., $11.19 (originally $13.99)
- Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein & Greens Lightly Sweet, Vegan Protein Powder for Women and Men, Plant Protein, Pea Protein, Greens & Probiotics, Dairy Free, Gluten Free Low Carb Shake, 20 Servings, $32.20 and an additional 30% off on your first Subscribe and Save order (originally $46.99)
- Tisan Peppermint Lemon Herbal Tea, 40-count, $4.99 (originally $11.99)
Amazon Prime members save in-store, too
While you don't need to join Prime to shop the Amazon Grocery Outlet online, members get access to even more ways to save on groceries.
One of the biggest ways members save is by getting member-only pricing when shopping in-store at Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh. Just scan your Prime member QR code at checkout and watch your grocery bill shrink.
Already joined? Your Prime member code can be found in the Whole Foods or Amazon mobile app on your phone. No need to hunt for coupons, simply scanning your code will automatically deduct any available Prime discounts from your total price.
Stack savings with an Amazon Prime credit card
Another benefit of Amazon Prime membership is the ability to get cash back when you also have an Amazon Prime credit card. Without membership, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card nets you 3% cash back on purchases at Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods and Chase Travel.
But as a Prime member, your cash back earnings jump to 5%. You'll also get access to rotating special offers that offer 10% cash back on select items.
Between that unlimited cashback, the exclusive Prime member deals and the daily discounts on pantry staples on Amazon Grocery Outlet, you'll be able to wrestle your grocery bill back down to a number that doesn't make you cringe.
Lock in Discounts with "Subscribe & Save"
Another way to save on groceries at Amazon is the retailer's Subscribe & Save feature. On eligible items, including pantry staples, household cleaning supplies, pet food and more, clicking "subscribe & save" at checkout will not only shave a few bucks off the price, but save you the hassle of running out of those essentials.
When you do, you'll be able to choose a delivery frequency that fits your household. And you'll enjoy ongoing price discounts, typically around 5%, on every automatic shipment of that item. Though, you'll occasionally find one-time discounts as high as 30% when you first sign up for Subscribe & Save.
If you ever need to change the frequency, skip a shipment or cancel the subscription altogether, it's easy to do that online or in the app at any time.
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