The best grocery stores for holiday shopping in Erie

Soon, it will be time for holiday grocery shopping in Erie. This year, especially, it’s important to a lot of people that they’re able to stretch their dollars while supporting stores that feel dependable, and while making sure the food on the table lives up to the occasion. With rising costs affecting families across the nation, Erie shoppers are paying close attention to where they spend their money, and they’re choosing stores that deliver real value without sacrificing quality. In a season centered around tradition and generosity, finding a place that balances affordability with fresh, reliable ingredients matters more than ever.

To learn which places residents trust most, we asked Erie locals where they prefer to shop when preparing for their holiday meals. The results are in, and the top three spots chosen by Erie voters have earned their reputation through cost-effectiveness and genuine loyalty from their customers.

Photo credit: Stacy Rounds

Wegmans

For residents of Erie who are contemplating where to do their holiday grocery shopping, Wegmans offers a compelling mix of reasons. To begin with, the chain has built a reputation for high‐quality fresh produce, high-quality meats, an abundant freezer section, well‐assorted prepared foods, and a premium shopping experience. 

Founded in 1916 in Rochester, New York by brothers John and Walter Wegman, the company gradually grew into a major regional grocery chain, and it opened its first out-of-state store in Erie in 1993. In Erie today, there are two Wegmans locations: one at 6143 Peach Street and another at 5028 West Ridge Road. The store hours for both locations are currently 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. 

During December, Wegmans in Erie stands out thanks to its strong seasonal lineup: dedicated “Holiday Entrees” and “Holiday Desserts” collections include pre-prepared roasts, turkey and ham options, and bakery specialties like large fruit tarts, mousse cakes, and pies.  These offerings reduce the stress of planning a complete holiday meal from scratch, which is a major appeal for shoppers who are balancing busy schedules and family gatherings. Similarly, the “Seasonal Entertaining” section features easy options such as gold pan bacon-wrapped scallops, charcuterie, seafood platters, and other premium eats designed for hosting. 

On the savings front, Wegmans offers consistent low-price messaging (via its “Consistent Low Prices” program) and a digital coupons system. Shoppers who join the Wegmans Shoppers Club can clip digital coupons online and apply them in-store.  While they may not advertise “holiday sales” in the traditional sense, the chain supports its members with targeted savings on staples and store-brand items, which can provide meaningful value during December when budgets are tight.

Quality is also a strong part of the pitch. The company is widely recognized for its fresh bakery, produce, prepared foods, and an elevated ambiance. 

For holiday grocery shopping in Erie, Wegmans offers the combination of quality food, an elevated and comfortable shopping experience, a wide selection of prepared and specialty seasonal items, and a membership-driven savings model that can ease the cost burden of a holiday spread. 

Giant Eagle

For holiday shopping, people in Erie choose Giant Eagle because it offers a full supermarket experience with a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, bakery items, and prepared foods, so you can get everything for a big family feast under one roof. During December, the store ramps up its offerings with special holiday-themed promotions and services. For example, they have dedicated holiday dinner bundles and entrées, sides, and desserts aimed at simplifying your holiday spread. They also advertise “Holiday Meal Savings Without Compromise,” which highlights savings on holiday essentials like turkeys, hams, sides, desserts, and produce. 

In terms of money-saving, Giant Eagle’s holiday pages specifically mention savings on key categories like pork, crab, shrimp, sweet potatoes, frozen potatoes, and baked treats like pies and cookies.  Also, the store has a weekly flyer and digital offers you can check for your zip code, so you can anticipate which items will be discounted.  So yes, you can absolutely find deals—especially if you plan ahead and keep an eye on the holiday-specific promotions.

Regarding food quality, Giant Eagle has a strong reputation. The chain hosts full deli and bakery departments, a variety of fresh produce, meats, and prepared foods. Their holiday bundles include reheating instructions and packaged sides and mains to serve guests, which shows they are catering to the complete intended experience, not just basic groceries.  The fact that they position themselves as offering both selection and convenience for holiday hosting suggests they take quality seriously for the season.

Giant Eagle’s origins trace back to a merger in 1931 between two antecedent grocery chains in Pittsburgh: Eagle Grocery, founded in 1918, and OK Grocery. The newly formed entity was incorporated as Giant Eagle. Over the decades, the company expanded from western Pennsylvania into Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia.

The Erie area currently has four Giant Eagle locations: 2067 Interchange Road, 2501 W 12th St, 4265 Buffalo Rd, and 9125 Ridge Rd. in Girard. Because hours may vary, especially around the holidays, I would recommend checking the store locator on Giant Eagle’s website or calling your local store for holiday-week hours. 

Overall, Giant Eagle is a very solid choice in Erie for holiday grocery shopping thanks to its convenience, breadth of products, reliability, holiday-themed services, and deals. 

Aldi

If you’re in Erie and planning your holiday grocery shopping, choosing Aldi can make a lot of sense. For those who are on a budget, it’s an obvious choice. But also, if you’re looking for value, seasonal variety, and straightforward high-quality fare, you can find plenty of delightful holiday options at Aldi.

Aldi’s business model is built around consistently low prices and a streamlined shopping experience. You’ll find fewer brand-name products but strong private-label goods that deliver good food at a lower cost. Their own-brand items have steadily gained respect in consumer reviews.

During December, Aldi steps up its seasonal game in ways that can benefit holiday shoppers. They offer a wide variety of holiday snacks, treats, charcuterie items, and desserts. For example, their “Holiday Snacks & Treats” lineup features chocolate, peppermint bark, candy canes, and other festive sweets.  

Alongside the food, Aldi also brings in seasonal home and decor offers, toys, gifts, and stocking-stuffers, so you can knock off both your grocery list and some non-food items in a single stop. They also publish weekly specials labelled “Aldi Finds” that often include premium or novel items at strong discounts. 

In the Erie region, there are three Aldi locations: one at 2222 Downs Drive, another at 2647 West 12th Street, and a third at 4728 Buffalo Road. The Downs Drive and West 12th Street stores are listed as opening at 8:30 a.m. and closing at 8:00 p.m. daily. If you’re planning to visit during the holidays, it’s a good idea to check the store’s website or call ahead, as hours may vary on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s.

If you live in Erie and your holiday grocery list is sizable, choosing Aldi can mean fewer trade-offs between cost and quality. Between the seasonal offerings designed for December entertaining and strong savings potential, Aldi offers a compelling alternative to the larger supermarkets.