The Most Expensive Grocery Stores in America

Sometimes, there’s a reason that certain supermarket items are more expensive than others — maybe they’re organic or Fair Trade, or maybe they’re seasonal and hard to come by — but certain grocery stores have gained a reputation for being almost laughably overpriced, seemingly for the sake of being overpriced.

The following US-based grocery store chains are some of the most expensive in the country, boasting over-the-top items like celebrity-endorsed smoothies, quote-unquote superfoods, and other non-essentials for the average American shopper. Beware of sticker shock if you pop into any of these for a few essentials on your shopping list.

It might come as a surprise to discover that Erewhon wasn’t always the grocery store made famous for its $30 smoothies and celebrity endorsements. The Los Angeles-based grocery store started in Boston in the 1960s as a small grocery stand. Fast forward to today, the high-end grocer focuses on the high-end health food and organic products that come with a hefty price tag, like a bottle of $26 oxygenated water and a $19 strawberry (yes, that’s strawberry, singular). 

Dean & Deluca opened its doors in 1977 when founders Joel Dean, Jack Ceglic, and Giorgio DeLuca set out to create an upscale experience that would elevate everyday grocery shopping. The goal was — and largely still is — to stock only the finest food products and pantry staples that were harder to find in the average supermarket. The store has famously stocked a $95 cake and solidified itself as an upscale shopping destination even further when it was featured in the movie “The Devil Wears Prada.”

While Whole Foods Market has more or less become a household name as far as grocery stores go, the organic supermarket is still one of the more expensive options in the country. The grocery store chain is certified organic, and all its products are free from hydrogenated fats, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Some of the more expensive products include a $20 bottle of maple syrup and a $36 pack of organic mushrooms.

Southern California-based Gelson’s is known for being one of the more expensive grocery stores in the region, with most locations being in more affluent neighborhoods. The premium grocer has a streamlined and clean aesthetic that makes for a more comfortable shopping experience and boasts unique experiential add-ons like a fresh pizza-making station by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, fresh-pressed juice bars, and organic and fair-trade products lining the aisles.

Acme Markets is a Pennsylvania-based grocery store chain with more than 159 stores across Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley of New York. The grocery store isn’t exactly luxury, but reports show that it costs about 34% more than comparable products from Walmart despite the fact that the overall quality of the products are about the same or less than cheaper stores in the region.

The Fresh Market was first opened in 1982 by Ray and Beverly Berry. The couple had just returned from a trip to Europe and noticed a serious lack of pleasure-driven markets in the United States. There are now 166 European-inspired locations in 22 states, which all boast things like fresh pastries, hand-picked produce, fresh-cut flowers, imported goods, and an overall enjoyable and intentional shopping experience. Of course, that experience and the overall quality of products will cost you more than your average supermarket.

Harris Teeter boasts 250 locations across seven states and has been in business for more than 65 years. It is best known for its fresh-caught seafood, premium cuts of meat, excellent customer service, and an overall comfortable shopping experience. With that in mind, it was recently named the second-most expensive grocery store in the country due to its higher quality foods.

While Wegmans is objectively more expensive than other grocers, the New York-based supermarket chain has appeared consistently on Fortune’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” and even earned Food Network’s Best Grocery Store award in 2007. The grocery store has a well-loved hot food bar, a large selection of organic products, and an impressive import section. Some of the more famous items from Wegmans include a $6 Cannoli Dip and a pack of $10 Indulgent Cookies, both of which have a cult-like fandom online.

PCC Community Market is the largest consumer-owned food co-op in the United States with nearly 60,000 members. The Seattle-based market started in 1953 with just fifteen families to boost the organic food systems in the region. The market is admittedly expensive, but the products reflect the high standards of the co-op and its commitment to working fairly with local farmers and producers. The market also prides itself on its community involvement with regular cooking classes and other community-based events. 

You can expect to pay anywhere from $7 for a 6-ounce pack of organic raspberries to $20 for frozen beef burger patties, which is admittedly less bad than some of the other premium grocers on the list but will certainly add up if you tick off your entire grocery list here.

(Although PCC didn't make the cut, check out our roundup of the oldest grocery stores in America.)

Natural Grocers was started by young parents Margaret and Philip Isely back in 1955, with just $200 as the initial investment. The couple believed that healthy products and alternative medicines (like dietary supplements) should be easily accessible to all Americans. The couple began by taking orders for supplements and whole grain bread before ever opening a brick-and-mortar, but once they did finally open the doors to their first grocery store, the brand took off. 

Fast forward to today, and there are 169 stores across 21 states; the guiding ethos of making healthy food accessible is still one of the pillars of the brand, but of course the higher-quality products do come at a higher price point. You can expect to find exclusively organic products here without exception.

And if you're looking to save a bit, check out our list of the cheapest grocery stores in America.