Finding ways to save money on groceries is becoming more important nowadays because of the rising cost of living.
In this article, we will check out the cheapest grocery stores across the country, including Walmart, Costco and No Frills.
We will also find out the most expensive grocery stores in Canada to help you make the right choice.
Where To Find the Cheapest Groceries in Canada
| Grocery Store | Features |
| Walmart | Offers quality products at low prices; follows a policy called “Everyday Low Prices,” which focuses on long-term benefits to the customer; sells products with unbeatable prices with good quality and variety |
| NoFrills | Owned by Loblaws; offers low prices on groceries, meat and produce; provides lower prices by being “no frills” and removing luxurious additions |
| Maxi | A subsidiary of Loblaw Companies discount retailer; considered the Quebec equivalent of No Frills; sells fresh produce, vegetables and fruits, appliances, cookware, toys, clothing, etc.; offers products with unbeatable prices with good quality and variety |
| Giant Tiger | Provides online shopping options and price matching in their stores; customers earn points when using their PC Financial Mastercard or bank account; offers bargain clothing, household items and grocery |
| Save On Foods | Offers competitive pricing and price matching through their Western Family Lowest Price Guaranteed promotion; customers can use flyers and rewards points for free groceries and other rewards |
| FreshCo | A discount banner of Sobeys that offers competitive prices and price matching; provides flyers that list the prices of its items and the Scene points you can earn |
| Costco | A members-only warehouse club that offers low prices by buying and selling in bulk and through its high volume of sales; does not offer price matching but its products come with a satisfaction guarantee |
With groceries getting more expensive in Canada, it’s important to know which stores are the cheapest.
1. Walmart
Walmart offers great value with low prices on quality products. It is available in every province except Nunavut, and you can find their flyers everywhere.
While they don’t price match, their grocery prices are among the lowest in Canada, mainly because of their “Everyday Low Prices” policy.
You’ll find more than just groceries. It also offers clothes, school supplies, beauty products, pet supplies, small appliances, outdoor gear, toys, seasonal items, crafting supplies, and more.
Thus, one-stop shopping at Walmart saves time and money.
2. NoFrills
No Frills, owned by Loblaws Companies Limited, offers low prices on groceries and non-food items and is found in every province except Quebec.
NoFrills differentiates itself from other stores run by Loblaws by being “no frills”. This means that there are:
- No counters for their deli
- No brand names
- Fewer store displays
In their weekly flyers, they offer low prices, and they match competitors’ prices as well.
But they limit their allowable price match items to quantities of 4 only.
3. Maxi
Maxi, another Loblaw-owned discount retailer exclusive to Quebec, offers low prices and online shopping with pickup and delivery.
Loblaws’ price match policy applies to merchandise in their stores. But this is limited to 4 units per item.
Also, customers can earn PC points through their PC Optimum account and enjoy extra points for using their PC Financial Mastercard or bank account.
And like Superstore, Maxi’s website features a list of all the products that will earn you points.
4. Giant Tiger
Giant Tiger is another popular grocery store chain that offers low prices on high-quality groceries.
It also provides price matching and online shopping options for convenience.
Their GT VIP program provides exclusive perks like contests, sweepstakes, and dining discounts, making it an attractive option for frequent shoppers.
With locations across Canada, except British Columbia and Newfoundland, Giant Tiger is a reliable choice for all your grocery needs.
5. Save On Foods
Save on Foods has historically emphasized quality but now offers competitive pricing due to increased inflation.
Select Tuesdays feature $1.49 deals, and they price match via their Western Family Lowest Price Guaranteed promotion.
Also, shoppers can collect flyers and Save on More rewards points for free groceries and other rewards.
Grocery delivery and free pickup are also available, making it a comprehensive shopping experience as well.
6. FreshCo
Freshco, a discount banner of Sobeys Inc., offers competitive prices in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
They price match and beat the competition by 1 cent, ensuring you save as much as possible.
But their price match policy is limited to four competitors, so it’s best to check with your local Freschco store for the list of valid competitors.
Their flyers also list all prices and Scene points earned. If sale items sell out, you can receive a rain check.
Plus, their double fresh guarantee ensures satisfaction with purchased products. It allows the replacement of unsatisfactory items with no questions asked.
7. Costco
Costco Canada is a membership-only warehouse club that is famous for its low prices.
Here are some reasons why Costco is cheaper than its competitors:
- Costco buys in bulk, which allows it to negotiate lower prices with suppliers.
- Costco has a high volume of sales, which further drives down prices.
- Costco sells products in bulk, which can save customers money on a per-unit basis.
While Costco doesn’t offer price matching, all of its products come with a satisfaction guarantee.
If you are unsatisfied with the product, you can return it for a full refund. You can check out our review of Costco’s Return Policy.
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Cheapest Grocery Stores in Toronto
8. Lucky Moose Food Mart
Lucky Moose Food Mart is a small, family-owned grocery store specializing in Asian foods. It is famous for its low prices and wide selection of Asian produce.
Some of the reasons why it’s cheaper than its competitors are that it buys directly from suppliers and has a lower overhead cost.
It does not offer price matching. Instead, it offers a satisfaction guarantee on its products. You can return a product for a full refund if you’re not satisfied.
9. The Grocery Outlet
The Grocery Outlet offers substantial savings on groceries in Toronto with surplus and discounted goods.
In order to offer customers significant discounts, this discount grocery store sources products from overstocked suppliers or those that do not meet product specifications.
The Grocery Outlet sells products at 30%–70% off on average, its owner claimed in an interview.
The store does not offer price matching, and its inventory can vary from week to week.
10. Galleria Supermarket
Galleria Supermarket, the largest Korean and Asian grocer in Toronto, imports cultural items and specialty foods from Korea and Japan.
Representing the Canadian Korean community, they offer fresh food, produce, and meat at discounted prices.
Although they don’t offer price match, they provide weekly flyer discounts on their website.
Also, they hold sales on prepared meals if you come late enough. These are the same meals made earlier in the day that they need to get rid of before closing.
Cheapest Grocery Stores in Vancouver
11. Marketplace IGA
Marketplace IGA sells basic groceries at fair prices. They don’t have as many fancy products as bigger stores, but their private labels taste just as good.
You can buy milk, bread, snacks, frozen foods, and wine here every day.
Also, they do price matching according to their website, as well as run weekly flyer promotions.
12. Famous Foods
Famous Foods is a small, local grocery store in East Vancouver.
It might not be the cheapest place for paper supplies and cleaning products, but you can find good deals on meat and fresh produce sourced from within Canada.
Although they don’t price match, they run weekly promotions (aka weekly specials) and have a loyalty program where shoppers can earn 1 point for every $1 spent.
13. Vancouver Farmers Market
The Vancouver Farmers Market is a group that holds markets across the city on select dates.
They believe everyone should have access to fresh, locally grown food, no matter how much money they have, so they help connect shoppers with local farmers.
The market is a great place to find cheap, healthy food grown in British Columbia.
The only downside is that it’s not open every day.
Cheapest Grocery Stores in Edmonton
14. The Grocery People
The Grocery People (TGP) helps independent grocery stores and food establishments in Western Canada.
This is a 100% locally owned grocery store that also has a wholesale market for those looking to buy in bulk, like small retailers.
Although prices are like Costco, it doesn’t offer membership, which means anybody can go.
15. H&W Produce
H&W Produce is Edmonton’s source of fresh, high-quality local fruits and vegetables.
By sourcing directly from local farmers, H&W Produce is able to pass the savings back to customers.
You won’t find meat, chips, drinks, or snacks here, but you will find fresh produce at low prices.
It also accommodates wholesale bulk orders as well as weekly deals announced on its website.
16. Real Deal Meats
This family-owned and operated meat shop offers a wide range of fresh meats, including wild game, at wallet-friendly prices.
Their bulk meat packages and weekly specials aim to provide customers with much-needed savings on their meat purchases.
Although they don’t offer price matching or weekly deals, they have a monthly newsletter where they announce sales and promotions.
Most Expensive Grocery Stores in Canada
Some grocery stores in Canada are not cheap. Let’s look at some of the most expensive ones.
Metro
The Metro Inc. chain of food stores is a Canadian company operating in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
A full-service supermarket like Metro emphasizes quality over price, which can result in slightly higher prices compared to its discount-oriented competitors.
Also, Metro doesn’t have a price-match policy. Instead, it offers a rewards program where members can get personalized offers as well as earn reward points that they can redeem.
Fortinos
With a focus on quality and service, Fortinos’ prices may be higher compared to some of its discount-oriented competitors.
Located in the heart of Toronto, it is one of the most recognizable grocery store brands owned by Loblaw Companies Limited.
Despite its premium character, it runs weekly flyer deals on a regular basis.
How To Save Money On Grocery Shopping
Price Match
Many grocery stores offer price-matching policies so you can get the best price available.
By checking prices at other stores and showing proof of a lower price, you can get the same item for less money at the store you want.
Use Coupons
Look for coupons online and use apps to save money on groceries.
Using coupons can help you save a lot of money on your groceries, especially when there are special deals and discounts at the store.
Stock Up On Sale Items
When non-perishable things like food and household items are on sale, it’s a good idea to buy in bulk.
You won’t have to pay full price later on, and you’ll always have what you need.
This way, you can save money and have enough supplies for later.
Stick To Your Grocery List
Impulse buying can add up quickly. To avoid overspending, make a plan before heading to the store. Write down exactly what you need and stick to it when shopping.
Shop Strategically
Choose fruits and veggies that are in season, and look for store-brand products instead of name brands.
These choices will usually be cheaper.
Also, check for Sales or Clearance items, which can be great deals on things that are almost expired.
Conclusion
In summary, buying food in Canada doesn’t have to break the bank
By checking out the 16 cheapest grocery stores in Canada, from cities like Toronto to locations like Vancouver and Edmonton, you can discover valuable money-saving options.
Availing of a store’s price matching policies and using coupons are some of the ways to stretch your budget without compromising on the quality of products.
In addition, buying fruits in season and choosing house brands over name brands usually results in cheaper grocery shopping.
So, the next time you head out to shop, keep these cost-effective tips in mind and enjoy affordable yet fulfilling grocery shopping.
FAQs
While Walmart is one of the cheaper places to buy groceries in Canada, the actual cost of your shopping trip will depend on many factors. Among these are where you live, what you buy, and any special deals other stores might be offering.
Costco and Walmart both offer competitive grocery prices, but their offerings and prices may vary. Costco’s bulk-buying approach can lead to savings on certain items, but Walmart may offer better deals on small quantities.
On average, Canadians spend about $320 per person per month on groceries, according to a recent study by Dalhousie University.
Grocery prices in Canada can differ according to where you live and the stores you go to. Some things might cost more because of shipping and taxes, but there are cheap stores and ways to save money. If you shop smart, you can keep your grocery bill under control.
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