Shaw’s

Fresh, clean, awesome variety, best produce this side of the Pecos. Friendly employees. Why would anyone shop any where else?

Found some amazing deals in store today. Store is always clean and organized. General prices can be but stick to the sales and you can get a lot for your dollar. The store brand is a great value. I love that this location no longer uses plastic bags, they are available for .10 cents each.

Although I have been a customer for well over 25 years, I was completely disgusted tonight with the attitude of the manager — I think he is new — of the Shaw’s in Newburyport. I had a total hip replacement 4 weeks ago, and I’m pretty young for that (58)…usually quite spry and can run around that store in no time. Today, though, I had walked more than I should, was alone, and with one crutch, and I needed two items.
I swallowed my pride and called them. I asked the customer service representative if someone could come out to the front of the store, or if I could go into the front and have an employee help me with 2 items. I didn’t want to use a power chair — first, because I’m not a very good driver, and next, because in the past I have seen employees get an item for someone at checkout.
She transferred me to the ‘manager’, who told me that he was ‘sorry’, but that they were VERY busy, and that not one employee could help me. I went in anyway — taking painful baby steps with my crutch. Not one employee asked if I needed help — the ‘manager’ had a crisp, white shirt on and was ‘bagging’ — literally, maybe less than 10 customers in the store. I was fuming, but what could I say except that I certainly know why people FLOCK to Market Basket. The few times I went in there the employees came up to talk, and all were happy with positive attitudes.
Shaw’s looks like a party after the election when the candidate has made the concession speech. The manager saw me, then proceded to continue to bag. The store was not busy. I barely saw any customers in the aisles.
Yes, I like their produce. NO, I do not like their customer service. I am being very generous giving them 2 stars today. SHAME on Shaw’s for not making an exception for a loyal (not anymore) customer of 25 years!!! SHOCKING.

I go here for fish, meats and various specialty items when I can’t get them from Tendercrop or the farmer’s market.
Their brand name non-​sale items are almost always going to cost considerably more than Market Basket.
The prices may change since they’ve switched parent companies again — but as I’m writing this, I see absolutely no reason to spend more on an item that’s exactly the same at Market Basket.

While this is not our favorite grocery store (mainly because overall, they are VERY pricey), if you are looking for something a little different or exotic, this is the place to go. For example you can get individually packaged vac sealed duck breasts and thighs here… and the price is reasonable. And I found orange bitters here as well (do you see duck a l’orange in our future?).
Their produce department is probably my favorite place in the store. They have very fresh produce and an excellent variety, although sometimes it’s hard to find things — stop moving things around already! And adjacent to it is my absolute favorite spot of all… the floral department. They always have an excellent selection of very fresh flowers that are priced to sell.
Their in store bakery is also very good, although not as good as it used to be before they were bought by Albertson’s. If you want top quality meat, they do have a two tiered set up with regular meat cuts and a select meat department where we have gotten some exceptional tenderloins and steak tips, but you can pay as much for a «premium» steak as it might cost to get it as an entrée at a restaurant, already cooked. They also have a nice selection of imported cheeses and some very nice fresh mozzarella (check at the deli, not the cheese kiosk).
Definitely comparison shop… canned and frozen goods are much higher, and Lactaid Milk is as much as $ 2 higher per gallon. Coffee and pasta, paper goods (like tp and paper towels), and most basic staples are no bargain either unless they are on sale.
My biggest complaint is that you need to have their store discount card (which tracks your every purchase in that big grocery store check-​out register in the sky) or you can not get sale prices on anything. So if you run in on the fly, make sure that card is in your wallet or you are going to pay a premium on most things you might want to purchase.
Basically, it’s a trade-​off… higher prices over all, but you can find some things here that you might not find across the way at Market Basket. And if you are into organic, all-​natural, they do have the best selection. But the store has really suffered since the chain was purchased by Albertson’s. There is a definite change in the store culture and the prices make it not the place to do ALL of your shopping. We pop in for the special things we might not be able to get elsewhere, but watch out for sales that are only valid with the discount card.

Hey Shaw’s! No complaints. They don’t have everything but they got a lot. The produce and dairy is fresher here than Market BAsket next door even if MB is cheaper overall.
They have a good section devoted to all-​natural products. I’d like to see a better international section.
pass

This is by far my favorite supermarket in the world! While Market Basket does have consistantly better prices, if you look around Shaws, it ends up being much much cheaper! This particular Shaws is very clean and the produce deparment is diverse and very high in quality. Not once have I seen mold or soggy furits or veggies in this store.
The Wild Harvest section is amazing! I try to eat healthy and I prefer to eat more natural foods. Unfortunately, they come with a hefty price tag so I have to limit myself. But to have this option inside a local supermarket is a huge plus.
The Shop Around the World department is also quite nice. It features hard to find foods from all over the world. From Asian noodle bowls to British candies and condiments to hard to find salsas… this part of the store has it all.
The meat section always has choice cuts of meat that are quite often comparable to those from the Butcher Boy (just probably not as fresh but much cheaper).
The bakery is awesome and has fresh breads baked all day long. They even have samples of baked goods in there constantly… last time they have brownies for sampling. For a local supermarket this place has it all and then some.