Where to Buy Groceries in Canada

As food prices continue to rise, more Canadians are looking for ways to save on their daily grocery shopping. One way to do this is by choosing an affordable grocery store with low prices. The difference in product costs between stores can be significant, so it's important to know where to find the best deals. Let's look at some of the cheapest grocery stores in Canada and some useful money-saving tips.

Overview of the Most Affordable Grocery Stores

No Frills

No Frills is one of the most affordable grocery stores in Canada. It's present in all provinces except Quebec and is owned by Loblaws. No Frills' main principle is minimalism, which allows them to keep prices lower than competitors. The stores are characterized by the absence of deli sections and premium brands, as well as minimalist shelf displays. Despite this, the quality of goods remains high.

Advantages of No Frills:

• PC Optimum loyalty program for earning points;
• "Price match" feature (the store lowers the price if you find the item cheaper elsewhere);
• Convenient online ordering with pickup option.

Walmart

Walmart is another store that offers competitive prices on groceries. It's present in all regions of Canada except Nunavut and is known for its wide range of products, including clothing, appliances, and personal care items.

Although Walmart doesn't offer price matching, it remains one of the most popular and cost-effective stores.

Advantages of Walmart:

• Low prices on most items;
• Ability to do comprehensive shopping in one place;
• Saving time and money on trips to different stores.

Freshco

Freshco is a store owned by Sobeys Inc., focused on providing low prices and good deals. It's present in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Freshco's strategy is to offer customers quality products at affordable prices.

Advantages of Freshco:

• Price matching system;
• Money-back guarantee and product replacement if not satisfied;
• Ability to earn points through the Scene program, which allows for additional discounts on future purchases.

Giant Tiger

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Giant Tiger is a popular Canadian chain of stores that offers affordable groceries and a wide range of other products. Giant Tiger stores can be found in almost all Canadian provinces, except for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Giant Tiger's distinguishing feature is its versatility. In addition to groceries, you can buy clothing, household items, electronics, and much more.

Advantages of Giant Tiger:

• Free delivery on orders over $50 CAD;
• Pickup option;
• Price matching system for savings on purchases.

Maxi

Maxi is a discount store chain owned by Loblaws that operates exclusively in the province of Quebec. Maxi's main strategy is to provide a wide range of products at low prices. Here you can find both groceries and household items, making Maxi a convenient place for comprehensive shopping.

Advantages of Maxi:

• Ability to earn PC Optimum points;
• Price matching system for additional savings.

Save on Foods

Save on Foods didn't initially position itself as the cheapest store in the market. However, recently, in response to growing demand for affordable groceries, this chain has been actively introducing special promotions and offers to attract budget-conscious shoppers.

Advantages of Save on Foods:

• Special discounts, such as $1.49 CAD deals on Tuesdays;
• Price matching system;
• Points accumulation program for future purchases.

Costco

Costco is known for selling products in bulk, allowing customers to save when buying groceries and other items. The main feature of Costco is that its format is geared towards wholesale purchases, so buying in large quantities can be beneficial for large families or those who prefer to shop less frequently.

Advantages of Costco:

• Low prices on bulk items, especially on products like eggs, dairy, coffee, frozen foods, and grains;
• Membership program that provides access to exclusive discounts and offers;
• Wide range of products, including appliances, clothing, and household items.

The Most Expensive Grocery Stores in Canada

Some stores, such as Thrifty Foods, Sobeys, Metro, Safeway, and Longos, offer more expensive items, including organic and premium products. Despite the higher prices, these stores are popular due to the quality of their goods and high level of service.

Popularity of Local Independent Stores

Despite numerous promotions and discounts used by large retail chains to retain customers, the number of those dissatisfied with high prices is growing. This leads to more Canadians turning to shopping at independent local stores. These stores not only offer competitive prices but also contribute to the local economy. Supporting local sellers helps create a more competitive environment, which could potentially lower food prices in the long run.

Potential Arrival of International Retailers

In turn, the Canadian government is considering attracting international retailers such as Aldi and Lidl to increase competition and lower food prices. While this may be a long-term solution, the potential arrival of such retailers, known for their low prices in other countries, could change the market structure and offer shoppers more options for savings.

Looking for Discounts

According to a study by the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, nearly two-thirds of Canadians have changed their primary grocery store over the past year in search of better deals. About 30% of respondents choose stores solely based on discounts and promotions, while nearly 60% actively look for discounted items, especially products nearing expiration or marked down.

Fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, canned goods, baked items, and dairy products are the most popular discounted items.

Nowadays, certain websites or mobile apps help you find the best deals and save money on groceries. They make it easy to locate stores with the best prices and discounts, and compare offers. The following apps can assist you with your shopping:

• Flipp;
• Reebee;
• Instacart.

Additionally, "food rescue" apps like Flashfood and Too Good To Go are gaining popularity. They offer discounted products nearing their expiration date. While 58% of Canadians haven't used these services yet, 95% of those who have tried them recommend them to others.

Many stores offer extra discounts for specific customer groups, allowing for even more savings.

Student discounts:

• Student Price Card (SPC) offers students discounts at grocery stores and other retail chains.
• Some Loblaws branches give students a 10% discount on certain days of the week.

Senior discounts:

• Sobeys and Metro offer 10% discounts for seniors on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
• Shoppers Drug Mart gives seniors a 20% discount on certain items.

Military discounts:

• Real Canadian Superstore offers discounts for military personnel and veterans with proper identification.

Additional Savings Strategies

To reduce grocery expenses, Canadians can use not only discounts but also other simple and effective strategies.

One of the most effective methods is buying in bulk or larger packages, especially for products with a long shelf life. This approach often significantly reduces the cost per unit.

Another important tactic is actively using the "price match" system, where shoppers compare prices at different stores and ask their chosen store to lower the price to match competitors.

Finally, planning meals based on weekly flyer offers allows you to make the most of current promotions and discounts, which also contributes to substantial savings on groceries.