Does buying in bulk pay off?

Here is how bulk-grocery stores Costco and Sams Club compare with grocers Smiths and Harmons on some traditional Memorial Day fare: Costco Sams Club Smiths Harmons

WATERMELON
Weighing 18.26 pounds
$8 7 6 $5.99 5 each 4 3 2 1 0

BEER
Uinta Sampler
$30

GROUND BEEF
6 lbs.
$30 25

HAMBURGER BUNS
Sara Lee
$8 7 6 5 4 $4.29 3 for 2 24 1 0

$5.98 each

$6.03 /33 $4.56* a lb. /4 lbs. for a dollar

$27.98 25 $24.99 $23.96 for two 20 for for 12 24 ** 24 15 count

10 5 0

$23.98 for two 12 count

20 15 $17.94 10 lb.,

$2.99/ 88%

5 lean 0
** Uinta Sampler not available; price reects Wasatch Summer Sampler

$26.94 $4.49/ $20.94 lb., $19.08 $3.49/ 80% $3.18/ lb., lean lb., 85% 85% lean lean

$7.98 for two bags $5.98 of 12 for two $4.56 bags for two of 12 bags of 12

* Smiths Fresh Values price

* Smiths Fresh Values price

POTATO CHIPS
Lays BBQ
$6 5

KETCHUP
Heinz
$8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

SODA POP
Coke
$10 8 $8.49 6 32

BAKED BEANS
Bushs Original
$12

4 for

$4.99 28 oz.

3 bag*** 2 1 0

$5.98 for 27.25 oz. bag

$11.99 eight cans

$4 for two 9.5 oz. bags

$3.99 for a 9.5 oz. bag

$6.99 for three 44 oz. bottles

10 for

$6.23 for three 44 oz. $4 bottles for two 38 oz. bottles

for cans

$2.99 for 32 oz. bottle

4 2 0

$7.98 for 32 cans

8 16.5 oz. $8.98

$4.49 for 12 cans

$5.99 for 12 cans

6 4 2 0

for eight 16.5 oz. $5 cans for 3 28 oz. cans

$1.79 for 28 oz. can

*** Lays BBQ not available; price reects Rufes Original

Source: Tribune cost-comparison shopping

The Salt Lake Tribune