Zehrs

Out of all of the grocery stores in Barrie, I tend to shop at Zehrs the most regularly. Although they occasionally have appealing sales and promotions, I mostly shop at this location out of sheer convenience. They’re the closest to my house, and they have basically everything and anything you’d ever need at a grocery store. Everything from fresh produce to clothing (Joe Fresh) to an extensive library of organic foods to «fresh 2 go» style meals. Plus, I do my banking with PC Financial (if you don’t currently bank there, you should check out their website; tons of benefits). To be able to do your banking, right there in-​store, as you are grocery shopping? Unbeatable.
I’ve had the opportunity to sample a few of their prepared-​in-​store sandwiches, and while they’re not necessarily bursting with flavour, and pretty expensive considering their size, they do their job of taming an appetite. I’d say go for it if you’re feeling particularly hungry. (Better yet, grab something to eat before you go out grocery shopping; it will keep your cravings at bay and you’ll be more likely to make healthier purchases and stray from impulse buys.)
Joe Fresh, their clothing store, boasts an extensive collection of men’s, women’s and kids clothing. Casualwear, workwear, activewear — Joe Fresh has it all, and for the most part, their pricing is competitive and impressive. I do a lot of my clothing shopping here and have been continually impressed by the quality and low prices.
Their bakery is great! Their donuts are fairly well priced (2 for $ 1.80) considering their size, freshness, and flavour. Their chocolate dip donuts are unbeatable! They also have some assorted pastries, breads, and cookies.
In terms of pricing, Zehrs is… well, decent. It all comes down to the particular week and what they’re featuring in their flyer. They could stand to be a little more competitive. Walmart is consistently cheap, Metro is consistently overpriced, and Zehrs is somewhere in between. The «Coupon Zone,» offered right beside the entrance/​exit, is a nice way to get in on some potential deals. They tend to rotate the coupons bi-​weekly. Actually, Zehrs has a great coupon policy in general — they essentially accept everything, even printer coupons! That’s wonderful for people who use coupons on a regular basis, such as myself. I’m happy to report that I’ve never had an issue.
On a negative note, I HAVE had issues with their «self check-​out» machines. Repeatedly. They’re finicky beyond belief. I rarely use them anymore. It’s actually faster and easier to go through a cashier.
I do wish Zehrs would consider price-​matching. I know they currently price-​match baby items like diapers/​formula/​etc., which I think is a fantastic idea for young families, but I wish they would offer that to a larger spectrum. Someday, perhaps.
One final comment: I love the President’s Choice line of food. It’s not always the most economical option, but I’ve tried a variety of their foods and have consistently been impressed with both the taste and nutritional statistics, particularly in the President’s Choice Blue Menu series.
Overall, Zehrs is a friendly, convenient place with the occasional deal, bursting with variety, fresh food, and personality.