I was SO impressed, relieved, and happy to read this great article by Barbara Thau:
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/13/savings-experiment-trim-your-shampoo-and-conditioner-budget/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl5%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D154764

At first, I was worried, because too many reporters only compare regular prices, and conclude that every day low price stores like Target, Walmart, etc. are the best for savings. They often don’t realize that true savings and the best savings come in unexpected places by shopping smart with sales and deal stacking (coupons, register rewards, etc.) But in the end, Barbara Thau delivered! She got to the nub of it.

I couldn’t resist checking our databases to see what I knew to be true. I guess I just LOVE numbers!
I only checked two things, but the numbers are fun!
And if you log in to www.TheGroceryGame.com , you can get all the best deal stacking, AND beautiful hair at a great price!

As Barbara said… Our databases show drugstores win on shampoo and hair color…

Databases for last 30 days:
Lowest final price for each store – Pantene shampoo or conditioner 12.6 oz. (with deal stacking):
Rite Aid $1.25
Target $2.79
WM – $2-3.17 (west region for below matching)
West region Supermarkets – KS, Frys, 3 Albertsons, SoCal supermarkets:
8 deals – 1.67-$2
12 deals – 2.83-3.29

Interesting note on Hair Color, definitely drugstores win all the time:

In past 6 months on Clairol Nice ‘N Easy Hair color west coast region:

Walmart 7 deals 3.49-5.99.
Target 4 deals $3, 3.99, 4.99, and 5.99
Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens: 92 deals from 2.99 to 5.99
6 deals 2.99 to $3
58 deals – 3.49 to $4
28 deals – 4.50 to 5.99

Nice ‘n Easy west region Supermarkets past 30 days
40 deals – 3.49 to 4.99

So there you have it! Nice job, Barbara!