Across America, a quiet but absurd divide plays out every day. Not in luxury malls, but in grocery aisles. Most people are hunting for deals at Walmart or Costco Wholesale, but those who are wealthy are shopping at upscale grocers that turn basic staples into status symbols.
For example, take the flashy Erewhon Market in Los Angeles. It made headlines for selling a single strawberry for $20 and helped turn the “Hailey Bieber Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie” into an influencer status symbol.
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Erewhon isn’t the only luxury grocer in the U.S. Stores like Dean & DeLuca in New York and Bristol Farms in California serve the same clientele. But Erewhon has become the poster child for how much wealthier shoppers can pay for the same groceries found in an ordinary shopping cart. Below is a list comparing common grocery items you might buy at Walmart with their luxury price tags at Erewhon.
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Eggs
- Walmart: $2.34 for a dozen standard white eggs.
- Erewhon: $10.99 for pasture-raised, organic eggs.
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Whole Milk
- Walmart: $3.89 for a gallon of Great Value whole milk.
- Erewhon: $20.99 for a gallon of Raw Farm whole milk.
Rotisserie Chicken
- Walmart: $5.97 for a ready-to-eat bird.
- Erewhon: $24.38 for an organic, pasture-raised version.
Sourdough Bread
- Walmart: $3.84 for a standard Pepperidge Farm loaf.
- Erewhon: $8.00 for a half-loaf sourdough.
Strawberries
- Walmart: $2.50 per pint of strawberries.
- Erewhon: $9.99 for organic, locally grown strawberries.
Salmon Fillet
- Walmart: $12.33 per pound of salmon fillet.
- Erewhon: $24.99 for wild-caught Alaskan salmon.
Olive Oil
- Walmart: $9.78 for a 25.5-ounce bottle of Great Value olive oil.
- Erewhon: $29.99 for 25-ounce extra virgin olive oil bottle.
Wine
- Walmart: $3.96 for a bottle of red.
- Erewhon: $23 for an organic, biodynamic label.
Organic Ground Beef
- Walmart: $7.47 for a for a 16-ounce pack of grass-fed ground beef.
- Erewhon: $11.99 for a 16-ounce pack of grass-fed ground beef.
Why the Prices Jump So High
For some consumers, premium groceries are about more than just what ends up on the plate. Specialty sourcing, organic certifications and packaging that signals quality all contribute to higher prices.
Stores like Erewhon Market appeal to customers who prioritize wellness, traceability and presentation and are willing to pay extra for it.
What That Looks Like in Real Numbers
Buying these items at Walmart costs around $50. At Erewhon, the same list runs close to $180.
That’s a difference of more than $6,500 a year if you shop this way every week, which is enough to cover a big vacation, a major home upgrade or a chunk of a car payment for most Americans.
The Wealth Divide Beneath It All
Erewhon exists in one of the most unequal cities in America. Grocery inflation has already squeezed everyday households and while some Angelenos are watching their food budgets climb, others are buying $12 strawberries without blinking.
Luxury grocery shopping might feel like a wellness choice, but it’s really a reflection of how far apart daily life can look depending on your bank account.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s How Much Rich People Pay for the Same Groceries You Buy at Walmart
