Oh, WinCo! The name is music to the ears of the smart shopper. Employee-owned and hyper-focused on savings, WinCo understands the value of a dollar. They strive to keep prices as low as possible, easily making WinCo a favorite stop on many shoppers’ lists.
For example, did you know that you’ll rarely (if ever) see a WinCo paper ad? That’s because ads cost money – and WinCo would rather save that money to offer you lower prices! They have several cost-cutting tactics in place so that they can pass on savings.
And that’s even BEFORE you add in all of the other ways to save! They’re not satisfied with just keeping everyday prices low. WinCo is fully committed, offering opportunities for savings even above and beyond their already low prices!
Don’t sleep on these deals – we’ve rounded up the best ways to save at WinCo. Check out our tips below and start saving!
1. Create an account
Sign up for an account online and WinCo will allow you to customize your savings! Check the box to receive promotional emails, then select your dietary preferences (are you dairy-free? Vegan? They got you). Below that, select your cuisine preferences (I chose Italian, Scottish, Thai, and American!).
Other than promo emails and customized offerings, having account grants you access to something only account holders have…
2. Check out the “Coupons” link on the right side of the homepage
Okay, WinCo isn’t wasting any time bringing the savings. One look at their homepage will show you two of the biggest ways to keep more cash in your wallet.
Check out the top right corner – see that “Coupons” icon? Click it and get access to a world of WinCo-exclusive coupons. You can select the categories you’re interested in, and “clip” them for use. This is only available to those who have an account, so don’t miss out!
There are some great deals there, and there are a lot of them! A recent review had $2 off Gain Detergent, $3 off a Gillette Venus Razor, and $4 off Children’s Zyrtec. These are only a few examples found among four pages of coupons!
3. Click on the “Extra Savings” Drop-Down!
The other big exciting thing that jumps out on the homepage is the “Extra Savings” dropdown.
Click it, and a list of choices, all related to savings, will be revealed:
• You can go to the coupons which we just talked about
• Take a look at WinCo Weekly Specials (available online – more about that below!)
• In-store Events
• Promotions! This one is fun – enter contests for a chance to win!
4. Don’t miss the WinCo Weekly Specials
We already mentioned you’ll rarely see flyers or ads, but you can find the WinCo weekly specials (aka the Weekly Ad) online! (You’ll also see them in stores).
You may notice that there aren’t prices listed on the Weekly Specials. That’s because WinCo aims to have the lowest price possible in your area, so they may vary by store. Recent weekly specials included Smoked Cherrywood or Smokey Hickory Bacon, and Capri Sun Fruit Drink Pouches.
NOTE: The next one in the “Extra Savings” drop-down is “In-store Events.” A look at this page shows the same information as the Weekly Specials. Maybe they’re always the same, maybe they’re usually different, or maybe there’s some overlap! Whichever it is, definitely make sure to check both just in case!
5. Check out their Promotions for a chance to win!
The next drop-down on the “Extra Savings” tab is really fun – WinCo runs fun promotions, giving you a chance to win!
For example, May 2021 was Pet Month, and WinCo was celebrating by spreading the word about Purina’s Purple Leash Project, which helps people and their pets stay safe. You can enter to win a $50 WinCo gift card! This is a great way to spread awareness about a worthy cause and possibly win a prize!
Check back often to keep up on the newest contests and prizes!
6. Look for the green price tags for extra savings
Instead of costly flyers and ads, WinCo has other ways of calling your attention to special deals and sales! You just have to look.
Enter the Green Price Tag. As you walk the aisles on your next shopping trip, keep an eye out for green price tags – this is where the extra savings are. These are often savings offered by your local store, or WinCo passing on discounts they get from manufacturers. Either way, it’s great savings for you on their already low prices.
A bonus? There’s no minimum purchase required to take advantage of those savings!
7. Check out their comparison pricing signs
Wonder if you’re really saving money at WinCo? Well, they’ll remove all doubt once you come across a savings comparison sign.
You’ll find these throughout the store, and on them, you find tons of information: the WinCo price, competitor pricing, and even when they checked those prices! When you see one, check it out: you’ll see exactly how much money you’re really saving!
8. Don’t miss the Wall of Values!
What’s that? The Wall of Values is one of the best places to find the best WinCo deals! And you’ll find the Wall of Values right as you walk through their doors, in the first aisle!
Also again, policies and items change over time, so be sure to check if your WinCo has it, and what they may have!
9. Give their social media accounts a follow
Recently, WinCo’s Facebook page announced a sale on Calypso Lemonade for only .98 each!
Their Instagram page offered $1 off when you purchase Hershey’s syrup AND Breyer’s ice cream. Keep an eye on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep on top of what’s going on at WinCo!
10. Download Ibotta and similar apps to stack up the savings!
Many smart shoppers know and love Ibotta. The app, available for Google Play and Apple, has savings available when you scroll through and select your retailer of choice.
Simply search for WinCo, scroll through the items with available savings, and select the ones you want! After you make your purchase, upload your receipt and save it!
Ibotta had some great deals for WinCo recently – how about $5 off ANY brand of wine, of any size and variety? Or Cracker Barrel Cheese for $1.50 off? If you’re wanting something sweet, you could grab a Godiva chocolate bar for .75 off!
Those are all great deals, and there are many more. And Ibotta isn’t the only app like this out there – you’ll lot of apps out there designed to save you money, so don’t miss out!
11. Buy items in Bulk
Yet another way WinCo aggressively saves money to pass on the savings to their customers is through Bulk Bin purchases. This is a great way to purchase what you need at considerable savings – bulk items are cheaper! And their selection is huge, with over 800 items to choose from!
Just a couple of examples: last October saw crazy savings on Halloween candy – only $1.98 per pound! And January 2021 was National Tea Month – WinCo celebrated with a variety of loose-leaf teas to choose from in their bulk aisle.
You can also find baking ingredients, peanut butter, beans, and other staples. They’ll also score some fun things – they had Moon Pies in the bulk area not too long ago!
It’s important to note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, policies and selection may vary, so make sure to check with your specific store.
12. Buy WinCo Brand foods for even more savings!
By now you know that one of WinCo’s main objectives is saving you money. Yet another way to do that is by offering private-label, high-quality foods at low prices. Meet the WinCo Brand!
Their website recently advertised some of their food you’ll want to get your hands on: think Chocolate Chip Waffles, Pink Himalayan Salt, and Pecan Shortbread cookies.
Every time you see a WinCo label, you won’t be paying for a brand name. You’ll be paying less than brand-name prices, while still getting the quality you expect and deserve.
13. One word: Pizza
Craving one of your favorites, or just in no mood to cook? Check out WinCo’s fresh pizzas! For $9.98 you can get a large pizza and choose from a wide variety of toppings: Hawaiian, Pepperoni, Veggie, Meat, and more! (Or you can build your own)!
These are made fresh and you can bake yourself for a fresh-from-the-over experience, or WinCo will do the work for you for only $1, and you can leave with a warm box of cheesy goodness!
BONUS: grab garlic bread, churros, smoothies, and drinks too!
14. Celebrate in style with WinCo cakes and party trays!
Celebrating a birthday or graduation, or just having some friends over for fun? Show your friends a great time while saving time and money with WinCo’s prepared sweets and party trays.
Just a few examples:
• Grab a dozen cupcakes for $5.98.
• Choose from a variety of decadent cakes for only $8.98 each: think German Chocolate, Red Velvet, Boston Creme, and more.
• Get a half-sheet custom cake for $24.98.
• Trays, trays, and more trays: meat trays, cheese trays, veggie or fruit trays, sandwich trays, and more! Check out the options available – you’re sure to find something to fit your needs.
WinCo FAQs
Can I stack coupons?
Unfortunately, no. WinCo only allows one coupon per item (either their own or manufacturers), but the prices are so competitive that we can still see great savings.
But also.
Don’t forget about Ibotta and the other apps! While you can only use one coupon per item at WinCo, there’s no rule about using Ibotta (or a similar app) at the same time! That’s a smart way to stack savings and get more for your money!
Anything I need to know before I go shopping?
A couple of things will be different when you shop at WinCo – first, you’ll bag your own groceries. Before you get too surprised, it’s meant as a cost-saving measure. This saves WinCo money, and they pass the savings back to the customers!
Also, heads-up that WinCo does not accept credit cards (debit cards are accepted)! Again, this is another cost-saving measure.
You know when you go to gas stations and they give you a “discount” for not using a credit card? We all know they’re really just passing the credit card charges onto us.
WinCo doesn’t! No credit card transactions mean savings and lower prices for all of us!
Final Thoughts
WinCo is a customer favorite for many reasons: since it’s employee-owned, they understand what it means to save money. Therefore, you will see those savings in lack of ads, bagging your own groceries, and more.
But what they save, they share – meaning when they save money, they pass it on to us through cheaper prices. Not many grocery stores do that!
Since prices are already so low, you can really save at WinCo with a little smart shopping. And now that you know these tips, you’ll be ready to go and save even more money!
