Smart Shopper: Where You Can Save the Most on Groceries and Thanksgiving Meals
Story originally reported by KWGN
Saving money on groceries—one of the biggest household expenses—is more important than ever, and the Smart Shopper team continues to break down where Denver families can stretch their dollars the furthest. Each week, Smart Shopper compares the prices of nine essential grocery items across four major metro-area supermarkets: King Soopers, Walmart, Target, and Safeway. The latest price check from November 19, 2025, shows King Soopers back in the lead for the second time this month, edging out Walmart by just 21 cents. While overall staple prices have remained steady through 29 weeks of comparisons, this week’s breakdown reveals subtle shifts in pricing.
King Soopers takes the top spot at $24.81, showing a notable $2.50 price drop. Walmart, normally the longtime low-price champion, landed in second at $25.02, holding steady with no change. Target followed with $27.21, showing stable pricing despite gradual increases in past months. Safeway came in last at $30.41, though it did see a slight $0.40 decrease and continues to lean heavily on sales—especially for meat—to stay competitive.
Shoppers can maximize their savings by taking advantage of digital coupons and joining each store’s loyalty program.
The Smart Shopper comparison includes store-brand essentials: 2% milk, wheat bread, chicken breast, ground beef, eggs, toasted oats cereal, peanut butter, baby carrots, and butter.
Thanksgiving Price Check
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Smart Shopper also compared holiday staples—turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, green beans, and pumpkin pie—across the same four stores. Target offered the best overall deal at $28.88 for all six items (priced with a 17-pound turkey), followed by Walmart, Safeway, and King Soopers.
