A Review of the Bakery Outlet

It always amazes me how people pay vastly different prices for the very same product or service. One person on a transcontinental flight may pay $925, while the person right next to her is charged only $350.

One family walks into a showroom and shells out $18,700 for a new car, while another family pays only $17,500.

The same thing happens with groceries. As consumers we pay vastly different prices for essentially the same food.

Smart shoppers, for instance, easily pay up to a 75% less for their bread and bakery products. Their simple secret – Bakery Outlets.

I have to admit, when I first heard about the resurgence of people shopping at bakery outlets I was quite skeptical. My impression of bakery outlets had always been one that viewed them as small dingy places selling stale or outdated food that had been rejected by local supermarkets.

My perception couldn’t have been further from the truth. Not only are these places extremely clean but they simply are not allowed to sell outdated merchandise. In fact, I discovered that the items in the bakery outlet were frequently fresher than those at my local supermarket.

Many bakery outlets receive products directly from the company bakery. In the Chicago area, for instance, Wonder/Hostess bakery outlets receive shipments directly from the bakery three to five times a week!

I’ve passed by many bakery outlets but never considered stopping until I heard about the great savings people were enjoying. The particular bakery outlet I visited was an Entenmann’s bakery outlet located on the north side of Chicago. As with many bakery outlets this one was located in a small non-descript building in the middle of a strip mall.

Particularly reassuring was the large sign on the wall that greeted you as you walked in. In huge letters it simply stated that if you were not happy with your purchase for any reason you could return it for a full refund. I found the staff to be extremely friendly and helpful as well.

You’ll typically pay 50% to 75% less for bread and bakery goods at a bakery outlet compared to a conventional supermarket. As you first enter an outlet it becomes quite evident that they sell much more than just bread.

You’ll find a wide assortment of items including whole wheat bread, hot dog rolls, hamburger buns, bagels, English muffins, pita pockets, pizza crusts, and cereals. You’ll also find my favorites – donuts, muffins, cakes, pies, and a variety of other sweets.

The savings quickly add up. A loaf of bread that could easily cost you $3 in the supermarket will set you back only $1.50 at the outlet. A $3.29 pack of English muffins will cost you only $1.65. And if these products are near their sell-by dates the savings will be even more dramatic.

Items that are within a few days of their sell-by dates are placed on a special shelf and marked 75% off of their normal supermarket price. As I found out, this is the point at which many savvy shoppers stock up.

I talked to one very friendly elderly lady with a grocery cart overflowing with items. She told me with a huge smile on her face that she buys outlet items for her whole family – including her adult children.

She then informed me proudly that the secret is placing the bread and other goodies in the freezer as soon as she gets home. That way whenever she needs fresh bread or baked goods she simply goes to her freezer for a long-lasting supply of cheap food.

And this lady was not alone. Most of the shoppers at the outlet were busy filling their shopping carts full of bakery items. I followed suit and stocked up particularly on my favorites – English muffins, bagels, and donuts. As instructed I took the items home and placed the extras in the freezer.

Nearly two months later I was still going to my freezer to pull out items that I had purchased at the super low prices. I was especially surprised that the donuts had held up so well. I couldn’t tell the difference between my thawed donuts and those I would normally have purchase at the supermarket.

In addition to the huge savings, bakery outlets frequently provide senior citizens with additional discounts. Many outlets also offer a punch card program in which you’ll receive a free item after buying ten items.

Three major bakery outlets dominate the US market and its relatively easy to find an outlet near you.

Wonder/Hostess Bakery Outlets - To locate a Wonder / Hostess Bakery Outlet near you visit the outlet locator at the Wonder / Hostess website.

Entenmann’s Bakery Outlets – To find an Entenmann’s Bakery outlet visit the Entenmanns outlet locator on their website.

Sara Lee Bakery Outlets – Sara Lee doesn’t appear to have a bakery outlet locator on their website. The best way to find a Sara Lee bakery outlet near you is to use the google search engine. Type in “Sara Lee Bakery Outlet ” and the name of the city you live in. You’ll then be shown listings near you.

Once skeptical of bakery outlets, it now actually pains me to pay full price for my English muffins, cakes, cookies, and other snacks at the supermarkets on the rare occasions I can’t make it to my local bakery outlet.

There’s no longer any need for you to pay high prices for bread and bakery products. Bakery outlets provide you with a way to purchase delicious bakery items at rock bottom prices – nearly 50% to 75% of supermarket prices.

In this tough economy its good to know there’s some place where you can still find a good deal.

Have you shopped at a bakery outlet recently? Let’s us know what you thought. Leave a comment below.

Update: This article was selected for inclusion in the recent Carnival of Pecuniary Delights at the MoneyNing personal finance blog.