PriceSmart Foods

Like other supermarkets, it’s bright, well-​laid out, and rather ‘easy’ to browse and shop, but just wish their prices and offerings were as «smart» as their name suggests!

When we first saw/​heard it was to be a part of this new condo-​complex on North Road & Cameron, we thought «wow, great, we will finally have another supermarket in the neighbourhood — some competition at last!!». For the first few weeks of operation it looked like that would be so – but ‘wow’, that was sure short-​lived!
Now all we have is another «new type» pricey, supermarket, where most stuff (including meats, seafoods, and the like) is all pre-​wrapped and packaged, with prices and offerings matching the others (like Safeway) in the neighbourhood.
Ugh!!!

I shop here because it is nearby and carries a reasonable selection of gluten-​free and vegan options.

I like PriceSmart as a chain. They have some different items I can’t easily find elsewhere and their pricing is pretty competitive.
The fact that this one is 2 blocks away from home is a bonus.
The «newness» of this store appeals to me. Even with other stores’ best efforts at keeping them clean, they eventually start looking old. I think it’s the bright lights they use here that make the difference.
Everything is well-​organized, the staff are friendly and helpful and their selection has enough variety to appease my desire to try out new things.
The sometimes-​on lights they use in their freezer section is a little annoying as they seem to turn on a second or two too late. If I don’t stop at a particular section, they’ve already lost their opportunity to showcase the product inside. I’m sure this is an energy saving function but they need to adjust the motion detectors’ to catch me a couple steps sooner.

Price Smart = One really good sale, everything else the same or more expensive. I will give them credit for being clean and organized, and the produce department and deli are pretty good. Also heated underground parking is a plus. Staff I have found is more or less as use full as gum on your shoe (but that seems to be the norm these days). No real complaints, it is a place to buy food. Not my go to store but a good back up.
Seriously though, and you know who you are. If you have no concept of what a self serve check out is or how it works, leave the damn thing alone. I am already going grey and waiting for a person for what feels like 30 minutes to buy a cantaloupe is torture.

This is one of my regular weekly grocery stops as it is nearby and relatively inexpensive (compared to also nearby Safeway). Pretty good selection of produce, including some more unique produce and some organic, a good variety of cheeses, tofus, lots of bulk bins including spices, candy, and a whole row of grains, nuts, dried fruit, etc. Good selection of chocolate. Yes, they do sell meat there, but I’m not into that. They also carry a good selection of frozen Gardein products, but I haven’t seen any fresh Gardein products there yet. There is also a pharmacy with a good selection of toiletries etc., and even has a body fat analyzer and I think a blood pressure analyzer. Visit these if you want, but only AFTER the above mentioned cheeses, nuts, chocolates etc. Fortunately, there is a BC Liquor store next door to get that «healthy» red wine to go with the cheese.
Cashiers seem to be happier than most grocery stores, which I think is a good thing. Sorry Garth C., but I like real live cashiers, but I agree that the automatic freezer lights are a nice touch; so is the variable height cashiers treadmill island, which is adjustable to the height of the cashier.

It is nice to know that PriceSmart is expanding to many areas, and the Lougheed area is a great choice. A new supermarket with very good prices, and most of the Save-​On and Western Family products, as this area does not have a Save-​On. A nice open entrance in the new plaza along North Road, where there now seems to be an abundance of places and stuff to shop and walk around. This area is growing with the new condos that have popped up over the last couple of years.
What can you expect from this supermarket, one thing, a pretty presentation. This store may not seem big from the front looking in, but it is spaced well, especially the produce aisle. They have many people working here, always upkeeping the place to look pleasant unlike some other supermarkets where it look like a horde went through it. And if you have a «Save-​On-​More» card, you collect points, but the price is as advertised, and not discounted when you present your card during checkout.

I am a sucker for the little nerdy things in life and for that reason alone I’m a fan of PriceSmart Foods!
First they have self checkouts here, sure they are much slower and lack all human touch but I can live out my secret obsession of being a cashier and scanning items. It always looked fun as a kid because you get to play with lasers and we all know how awesome lasers are!
Next, automatic freezer lights. Ok this one is a little strange, come here on a quiet day and take a look down the freezer isle, if no one has been here for a while the lights turn off and as you walk down you can watch the lights turn on as you walk down the isle — yes it’s a little nerdy but I love it!
As for the food, produce is pretty good, comparable to Save-​on, which makes sense since I believe they are part of the same group. The Meats and Bakery is a little lacking, I suggest getting these items from other locations.
Location wise it is great, always lots of parking below and right next to a Liquor store to boot!

After discovering and being thrilled by the Grandview PriceSmart I was ecstatic for one to open just up the road for me.
I gauge all grocers on the wheat free selection nowadays. I mean, everyone has food. I like PriceSmart’s great selection of food, at great prices, and notable their bulk selection (yaaay for bulk rice flour!).
I dragged my tired boyfriend with high hopes of an up the road and cheap (in comparison) gluten free foods like the Grandview… and this PriceSmart half delivered. Yes, they have gluten free, and yes they have organic and natural foods (also very important), but they seemed to have half the selection of these items compared to their other locations. I will note, however, I found the Kinnikinnick gluten free donuts in the freezer section which was probably the thrill of my week.
So, like all of their locations, big, clean, this one offers notable customer service so far, but less gluten free items, which I need! The fact they are the only larger chain to offer them, and at decent prices saves them a three star review… plus my super friendly and really helpful cashier gives a bonus half star in my books.
All in all, four gluten free donuts out of five.