GO
Consumer DefensiveGrocery Outlet Holding Corp. · Grocery Stores · $790M
What is Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.?
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. operates a network of independently run discount grocery stores across the United States. The company focuses on offering deeply discounted products sourced through opportunistic buying, making it a destination for value-conscious shoppers.
Grocery Outlet generates revenue through a unique independent operator model, where local entrepreneurs run individual store locations under the Grocery Outlet banner. The company sources excess, closeout, and opportunistic inventory from suppliers at reduced costs, passing savings to customers. Product categories span dairy, deli, produce, fresh meat and seafood, grocery staples, frozen foods, health and beauty, general merchandise, and beer and wine.
The business traces its roots to 1946 and is headquartered in Emeryville, California.
- Discount grocery and fresh produce
- Dairy, deli, and fresh meat and seafood
- Frozen foods and health and beauty care
- Beer, wine, and general merchandise
- Independent operator store model
Is GO a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates GO as Below Average overall.
Among the five pillars, Valuation stands out as the relative bright spot, suggesting the stock is not trading at a significant premium relative to its fundamentals. Risk registers as Neutral, meaning the company does not carry an outsized threat profile compared to sector peers.
Quality, Moat, and Growth all score Weak — pointing to challenges in profitability consistency, competitive differentiation, and near-term expansion prospects that weigh on the overall rating.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does GO pay dividends?
No — Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. does not currently pay a dividend.
Grocery Outlet does not currently pay a dividend. For a discount grocery operator still expanding its store footprint, retaining capital to fund new locations and operational infrastructure is a common strategic choice. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment of GO relative to other consumer defensive names.
When does GO report earnings?
Grocery Outlet reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
The company's recent results have reflected the pressures common to discount grocery operators, including cost management challenges and the ongoing effort to scale the independent operator model efficiently. Growth metrics have remained below sector averages.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Grocery Outlet's official investor relations page.
GO Price History
-76.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.?
Based on Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
GO Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar for GO is rated Weak, indicating that near-term fundamental momentum faces headwinds. The Neutral Risk rating provides some stability, but the combination of Weak Quality and Weak Moat suggests the path to sustained earnings improvement may be gradual. Valuation rated Good implies the market may already be pricing in these challenges to some degree.
Growth drivers
- Continued store count expansion into new US states
- Opportunistic sourcing advantages in a high-inflation consumer environment
- Independent operator model enabling lower corporate overhead
Key risks
- Weak competitive moat in a crowded discount grocery landscape
- Profitability pressures from shrink, labor, and supply chain costs
- Execution risk as the operator network scales
GO vs Peers
Grocery Outlet competes within the discount and specialty grocery space alongside several regional and niche operators.
Natural Grocers targets health-focused consumers with a curated natural and organic product mix, contrasting with Grocery Outlet's broad opportunistic discount model.
Village Super Market operates a regional supermarket chain in the northeastern US, competing on neighborhood convenience rather than deep discount sourcing.
Krispy Kreme focuses on branded specialty baked goods through a hub-and-spoke distribution model, representing a different consumer defensive niche than grocery discounting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Grocery Outlet do?
Grocery Outlet operates a chain of discount grocery stores across the United States through an independent operator model. Local entrepreneurs run individual locations, while the company sources excess and closeout inventory from suppliers at reduced costs. Product categories include fresh food, frozen goods, health and beauty, and general merchandise.
Does GO pay dividends?
Grocery Outlet does not currently pay a dividend. The company appears to prioritize retaining capital for store expansion and operational investment rather than returning cash to shareholders through distributions. Investors seeking regular income may want to weigh this against other consumer defensive options.
When does GO report earnings?
Grocery Outlet follows a standard quarterly earnings reporting schedule. For exact dates and the most current financial results, check the investor relations section of the company's official website, as specific dates can shift.
Is GO a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates GO as Below Average, reflecting Weak scores across Quality, Moat, and Growth pillars. The Valuation pillar is rated Good and Risk is Neutral, which provides some context. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your own risk tolerance and investment criteria — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is GO overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for GO is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not significantly overpriced relative to its fundamentals. However, a favorable valuation rating alone does not offset the Weak scores in Quality, Moat, and Growth. View the complete valuation analysis by signing up for UQS Pro.
How does GO compare to its competitors?
Grocery Outlet competes in the discount grocery segment alongside regional operators like Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage and Village Super Market. Its opportunistic sourcing model is relatively distinctive, but the Weak Moat rating suggests the competitive advantage is not strongly entrenched compared to sector peers.
What is GO's market cap bracket?
Grocery Outlet is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it in a tier where liquidity and analyst coverage may be more limited than large-cap consumer defensive names, and where company-specific execution risk tends to carry more weight in performance outcomes.
Who founded Grocery Outlet?
Grocery Outlet's origins date back to 1946. The company has evolved significantly over the decades from its early roots into the independent operator discount grocery model it operates today. Detailed founding history is widely available through the company's official communications.
Is GO a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, UQS Score rates GO as Below Average, driven by Weak scores in Quality, Moat, and Growth. Long-term quality investing typically favors companies with durable competitive advantages and consistent profitability — areas where GO currently shows room for improvement based on the UQS framework.
What is the main competitive advantage of Grocery Outlet?
Grocery Outlet's primary differentiator is its opportunistic buying model, which allows it to source excess and closeout inventory at below-market prices. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating that the model may not provide a sufficiently durable barrier against competition in the broader discount retail landscape.
What sector does GO belong to?
Grocery Outlet is classified in the Consumer Defensive sector. Companies in this sector tend to offer more stable demand through economic cycles since consumers continue purchasing food and household essentials regardless of broader market conditions. Explore more [Consumer Defensive stocks](/sector/consumer-defensive) on UQS Score.
Is GO a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, GO carries a Weak Growth rating and a Good Valuation rating. This profile leans more toward a value-oriented framing — the stock does not appear expensive, but growth prospects are currently rated below sector averages, making it a nuanced case rather than a clear-cut growth play.
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Pro Analysis
GO — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2026 | 31.3 | 24.3 | 17.0 | 33.3 | 18.9 | 76.8 | +3.0 |
| May 10, 2026 | 28.3 | 0.0 | 17.0 | 33.3 | 36.9 | 78.7 | 0.0 |
| May 8, 2026 | 28.3 | 0.0 | 17.0 | 33.3 | 36.9 | 79.3 | -3.8 |
| May 7, 2026 | 32.1 | 16.7 | 17.0 | 33.3 | 45.7 | 67.9 | +0.3 |
| May 3, 2026 | 31.8 | 16.7 | 17.0 | 33.3 | 45.7 | 65.5 | -0.4 |
| May 1, 2026 | 32.2 | 16.7 | 17.0 | 33.3 | 45.7 | 68.6 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 32.2 | 16.7 | 17.0 | 33.3 | 45.7 | 68.7 | -0.4 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 32.6 | 16.7 | 17.0 | 33.4 | 45.7 | 71.2 | -0.6 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 33.2 | 16.7 | 17.0 | 33.4 | 45.7 | 75.0 | -0.2 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 33.4 | 16.7 | 17.0 | 33.4 | 45.7 | 76.2 | +0.4 |
GO — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 24.3/100 (25%)Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 33.3/100 (20%)Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 14.6/100 (15%)Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 72.1/100 (15%)Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 17/100 (25%)Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for GO.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the GO UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.