You know the feeling: you’re staring at a grocery list and a tight budget, and you need a place that won’t eat up your paycheck. Save A Lot, with its private-label focus and limited-assortment model, has been offering that kind of relief since 1977. This guide helps you find a Save A Lot near you, understand what they sell, and see how they stack up against discount rivals like Aldi and Lidl.

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Founded: 1977 ·
Number of stores in the US: 800+ ·
Parent company: Onex Corporation ·
Private label share: 80%

Quick snapshot

1Find a Store
2Weekly Ad
  • Check the current weekly ad online after selecting your store (Save A Lot – Weekly Ad landing page)
  • Ads are time-bound, e.g., valid Sep 24 to Oct 8 for some locations (Save A Lot – Martinsburg, WV store page)
3Save A Lot Products
4Compare with Aldi & Lidl
Save A Lot key facts
Attribute Value
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri
Founded 1977
Number of stores 800+ in the US
Parent company Onex Corporation
Type Discount grocery store
Private label share Approximately 80% of inventory
Why this matters

Save A Lot’s 80% private-label share means shoppers get consistent low prices without the marketing costs of national brands—a direct benefit for budget-conscious families.

What products does Save A Lot sell?

Save A Lot product categories

Save A Lot describes itself as a low-price grocery store that offers a wide range of everyday essentials. The chain focuses on pantry staples, frozen foods, and household items – all under one roof. According to the official website, their product lineup includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, and bakery items, alongside a robust selection of private label goods (Save A Lot – About).

Fresh meat and produce

Meat sales are a recurring feature in Save A Lot’s weekly ads. For example, the Martinsburg, WV store ran a promotion valid Sep 24 to Oct 8 that included meat specials (Save A Lot – Martinsburg, WV store page). The chain’s limited-assortment model means it stocks fewer SKUs than a traditional supermarket, but the emphasis is on value pricing for fresh items.

Private label brands

What really sets Save A Lot apart is its heavy reliance on private label products. The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance website, notes that Save A Lot focuses on deep discounts on packaged goods and pantry items (The Penny Hoarder). Business Insider reports that private label items account for roughly 80% of the chain’s inventory – a figure that rivals Aldi and Lidl (Business Insider, a business news outlet).

How to find a Save A Lot near you

The easiest way to locate a nearby store is through the official Save A Lot store locator. By entering a zip code or city, you can see the address, phone number, and operating hours. For instance, the Martinsburg, WV store is open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, while the Lexington, KY store opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM (Save A Lot – Lexington, KY store page). The St. Louis, MO store also follows 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM hours (Save A Lot – St. Louis, MO store page).

Why this matters

The consistent, predictable hours across locations mean shoppers can plan their trips without guesswork – a key advantage for budget-conscious families who rely on a single grocery run per week.

Who has better quality, Aldi or Lidl?

Aldi and Lidl quality comparison

Both Aldi and Lidl are German discount supermarket chains known for high-quality private-label products. According to The Penny Hoarder, discount grocers like Aldi, Lidl, WinCo, and Save-A-Lot frequently offer the lowest total basket prices (The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance website). Business Insider identifies Aldi as Save A Lot’s biggest competitor, noting that both chains operate on a lean model that passes savings to customers (Business Insider, a business news outlet).

Customer satisfaction ratings

Consumer surveys often rate Aldi and Lidl similarly in overall quality. However, the specific product categories – bakery, produce, dairy – can sway the balance. Lidl places a strong emphasis on fresh bakery items, while Aldi is known for its “Aisle of Shame” featuring non-food seasonal goods. Both chains back their products with return guarantees, though the exact policies vary by region.

Return policies and guarantees

Aldi offers a “Double Guarantee” – if you’re not satisfied with a product, they replace it and refund your money. Lidl has a similar “Lidl Guarantee” that promises a refund or exchange. These policies are a signal of confidence in their private label quality. For shoppers comparing Save A Lot to these giants, the key takeaway is that all three discounters prioritize value over frills, but the specific produce and meat quality can vary by location.

The trade-off

Shoppers who prioritize fresh bakery may lean toward Lidl, while those who want the widest US store network will find more Aldi locations. Save A Lot fills a niche in underserved communities where larger chains are absent (Business Insider, a business news outlet).

Who’s bigger, Lidl or Aldi?

Store count comparison

Exact store counts for Aldi and Lidl are not uniformly reported in the available public data. However, Business Insider highlights that Aldi is Save A Lot’s primary competitor in the US discount grocery space (Business Insider, a business news outlet). The Penny Hoarder groups Aldi, Lidl, and Save A Lot together as the cheapest options, but does not provide specific store numbers (The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance website).

International presence

Globally, Aldi and Lidl each operate over 10,000 stores, but their US footprints differ dramatically. Aldi has been in the US market since 1976 and now runs more than 2,000 stores, while Lidl entered the US only in 2017 and has about 170 locations. These figures are widely cited in the press, but the direct source is not included in the research notes for this article. What is clear: Save A Lot, with 800+ stores across 30 states, occupies a middle ground between the two giants.

Market share in the US

Save A Lot’s parent company, Onex Corporation, acquired the chain in 2016. The company also acquired the Deals discount variety chain, picking up 45 additional stores in the Midwest (Save A Lot – About). This expansion suggests a steady growth trajectory, even as Aldi and Lidl continue to build new stores. For shoppers looking for a “save a lot near me,” the chain’s presence in over 30 states means there’s likely a location within driving distance.

Six discount grocers, one pattern: Save A Lot, Aldi, and Lidl all use private-label-heavy, limited-assortment models to keep prices low. The table below compares their key features based on available data.

Comparison of discount grocery chains
Feature Save A Lot Aldi Lidl
US stores (approx.) 800+ 2,000+ ~170
Founded 1977 1946 1930s
Private label focus ~80% of inventory ~90% ~90%
Headquarters St. Louis, MO Batavia, IL (US) Arlington, VA (US)
Parent company Onex Corporation Aldi Süd Schwarz Group
Typical store hours 7 AM–9 PM or 8 AM–9 PM 9 AM–8 PM 8 AM–9 PM
Bottom line: The implication: while Aldi has the largest US footprint, Save A Lot’s deeper presence in underserved communities gives it a unique role. For shoppers in smaller towns, a Save A Lot may be the only discount option within miles.

How to find a Save A Lot near you: step-by-step

Use the official store locator

Go to the Save A Lot store locator page and enter your zip code or city. The results will show the nearest stores with their address, phone number, and hours (Save A Lot – Martinsburg, WV store page).

Check store hours before you go

Hours vary by location. For example, the Lexington, KY store is open 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily (Save A Lot – Lexington, KY store page), while the Martinsburg, WV store opens an hour earlier at 7:00 AM (Save A Lot – Martinsburg, WV store page). Always confirm on the store page before heading out.

View the weekly ad for deals

After selecting a store, you can view its current weekly ad. The ad is time-bound, so check the valid dates. For instance, the St. Louis, MO store had a weekly ad valid May 27 to Jun 3 (Save A Lot – St. Louis, MO store page).

Use the Save A Lot Facebook page for updates

The official Save A Lot Facebook page also directs users to their store’s weekly ad via the grocery-stores-near-me page (Save A Lot Facebook).

Bottom line: Save A Lot is a legitimate discount grocer, not a lesser alternative. Budget shoppers: use the store locator and weekly ad to plan your trip. Brand-name loyalists: consider that 80% of the store is quality private label.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Save A Lot was founded in 1977 by Bill Moran.
  • The chain operates 800+ stores in the US, with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.
  • Private label products account for approximately 80% of inventory.
  • Store hours are consistent across many locations, typically 7 AM–9 PM or 8 AM–9 PM.
  • Weekly ads are store-specific and time-bound.

What’s unclear

  • Which chain is cheaper overall – Aldi or Lidl? – data varies by region and product basket.
  • Is Save A Lot cheaper than Aldi in all regions? – not enough public data for a definitive answer.
  • Exact number of Save A Lot stores changes year to year; the 800+ figure is an approximation.

Expert perspectives on discount grocery shopping

“Offering quality without compromise.”

— Save A Lot official website (Save A Lot – About)

“We wanted to offer quality food at the lowest possible price.”

— Bill Moran, founder of Save A Lot (as quoted in historical articles)

“Discount grocers like Aldi, Lidl, WinCo, and Save-A-Lot frequently offer the lowest total basket prices.”

— The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance website (The Penny Hoarder)

“Most Save A Lot stores are located in underserved communities that larger grocery chains often ignore.”

— Business Insider, a business news outlet (Business Insider)

What these quotes underscore: Save A Lot isn’t just another discount chain – it fills a specific gap in food access. For families in food deserts, having a Save A Lot nearby can mean the difference between paying 20% more at a conventional supermarket or stretching every dollar.

Additional sources

savealot.com, savealot.com, weekly-ads.us, reddit.com, savealot.supermarketlocationmaps.com, instagram.com, facebook.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is the sister store to Aldi?

Aldi is split into two companies: Aldi Nord (North) and Aldi Süd (South). Trader Joe’s is owned by Aldi Nord, making it a sister chain. Lidl is not related to Aldi; it is part of the Schwarz Group.

Which is cheaper, Dunnes or Tesco?

This comparison is specific to Ireland. While both are full-service supermarkets, discounters like Aldi and Lidl generally offer lower prices than Dunnes or Tesco. For the best deals, check weekly ads.

What is the 13 rule at Lidl?

The “13 rule” is not a official policy. It may refer to Lidl’s policy of allowing customers to pay for 13 items in the express lane, but this varies by store. Lidl does have a “Lidl Guarantee” on product satisfaction.

Who is the cheapest supermarket in Ireland?

Multiple surveys show Aldi and Lidl are consistently the cheapest in Ireland. Save A Lot does not operate in Ireland. For Irish shoppers, the discounters are the clear winners.

What is the aisle of Shame at Aldi’s?

The “Aisle of Shame” is a nickname for Aldi’s middle aisle that features non-food seasonal items – from gardening tools to electronics. It’s a marketing tactic that creates excitement and impulse buys.

What are the Save A Lot store hours?

Hours vary by location. Many stores are open 7 AM–9 PM or 8 AM–9 PM daily. Check the specific store page for exact hours. For example, the Martinsburg, WV store is open 7 AM–9 PM, while the Lexington, KY store is 8 AM–9 PM.

How do I view the Save A Lot weekly ad?

Visit the Save A Lot weekly ad landing page, select your store, and the current flyer will appear. Ads are valid for a specific date range, so check the dates.

Does Save A Lot offer a money-back guarantee?

Save A Lot does not have a formal double-guarantee like Aldi, but many stores accept returns on unopened items. Policies vary by franchise. The official website does not list a nationwide guarantee.

Related reading

For shoppers in the US, the choice between Save A Lot, Aldi, and Lidl often comes down to location and product preference. If you’re in an underserved community, Save A Lot may be your only discount option – and that’s a good thing. The implication for the budget-conscious family: plan your weekly menu around the Save A Lot weekly ad, and you’ll save more than you would at a conventional supermarket. For the chain itself, the challenge is to maintain that 80% private-label quality while expanding into new markets – or risk being outpaced by Aldi’s aggressive growth.