Lowes Foods

This is a nice and reliable grocery store, with some selections of organic produce and center aisle items.
When performing a 1:1 price comparison to the competition down the street (initials being F.L.) I have found that items are $ 0.75-$ 1.00 cheaper, elsewhere. For example, Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard, I paid $ 2.29 (regular, non-​sale price) at the other place, but when I walked in, same day to this place, it was literally that $ 0.75 higher.
BUT, with that being said, if you shop their weekly mailer, and use their check-​out coupons, and also use their loyalty card (you will occasionally get some decent price breaks). For example, last Nov/​Dec, they mailed out $ 10 off purchase of $ 75. That helped.
On specialty items, like Udi’s Gluten Free Breads they are spot-​on the competition price.
So, it pays to shop around.

Pros:
— Extremely clean store.
— Good selection overall.
— Fresh produce.
— Good meat department.
— A surprising good selection of WINE both domestic and imported. There does not appear to be many wine connoisseurs in this area, so it is even possible to find a few nice red wines that possess some age.
–There are beers from Asheville, but none from Hickory or Charlotte.
— I like the «mini» carts which are easier to maneuver, and it forces me to economize.
— Usually at least three registers open.
— Plenty of parking.
— Conveniently located next to highway 127 south and highway 321.
Cons:
— REALLY expensive prices. Since Harris-​Teeter and Whole Foods left the Hickory area and Lowe’s has no real competition other than Food Lion, Lowe’s Foods is trying their best to capitalize on «high end» pricing. I ain’t buying it… their selection is not any better than Food Lion or Wal-Mart’s grocery.
— The aisles are tight enough that one has to wait for other shoppers to move out of the way.
— One experiences apathetic check out employees about half the time.
— No bagboys, OR if there is ONE bagboy, they always seem to be in another checkout line. ;o)
Conclusion: HT, WF, Publix and Trader Joe’s are 100% better. These premium competitors have better quality merchandise and more variety. Frankly, Food Lion has become comparable to Lowe’s Foods, and their pricing is much more consumer friendly.
Tip: Come to think of it, Aldi’s has a much better selection and much better pricing as well. (Aldi’s is Trader Joe’s little brother — owned by the same German franchise.) Occasionally, Aldi’s has specials on real German cheese and meats, which are truly superb.)