This is because not all stores have equal food prices. Because of that, we are going to go over some of the cheapest grocery stores in Canada.
Store With the Lowest Prices
When it comes to finding the grocery stores with the lowest prices, there are actually quite a few in Canada. That said, even though the same stores exist throughout Canada, they might have the lowest prices in one province but not the other.
There are even some stores that are located only in certain parts of the country. This means they could have much lower prices than other stores located throughout the country. Let’s take a look at some of these stores. Keep in mind that when Statistics Canada compiles its grocery price lists, it uses average prices; it doesn’t pick a specific store.
No Frills
No Frills is one of the stores owned by Loblaws Companies Limited. You can find it in every province except for Quebec. Just like with Real Canadian Superstore, Atlantic Superstore or Shoppers Drug Mart, you can collect points with your PC Optimum card, and earn extra points when you make purchases using your PC Mastercard or debit card.
No Frills has a flyer that showcases the weekly low prices on food and non-food items in their stores. They will also price match. This means that if you find something cheaper in a flyer from another store, No Frills will match their price. You can also order your groceries online and pick them up. You can even get this service for $0 if the order is eligible.
While No Frills is a Loblaw company, it is different from its other stores. The idea behind no frills is that there are no frills, such as:
- No deli counters
- No name brands
- Limited store displays
These things allow the store to price its products just a little lower than the competitors. Their products may not be displayed as beautifully as in other stores, but the quality is still there. This allows the customer to still get the cheapest groceries without compromising on quality.
Walmart
Walmart is another great store that offers high-quality products at affordable prices. The only place in Canada without a Walmart is Nunavut. Other than that, you can access a Walmart flyer anywhere you live. That said, unlike some other grocery stores, Walmart actually doesn’t price match. They do, however, have some of the lowest grocery prices in Canada.
When it comes to shopping at a Walmart Supercenter, part of the charm is that you can find more than just groceries there. They also have great deals on:
- Clothes
- School supplies
- Household items
- Beauty supplies
- Pet supplies
- Small appliances
- Outdoor gear
- Toys
- Seasonal items
- Crafting supplies
There is so much more there as well. At Walmart, you can find everything you are looking for. This is part of why so many Canadians choose to shop there. The convenience of going to only one store, rather than multiple, can also save you money. There may be some items that are more expensive than at other stores, but overall, they are among the most competitively priced stores in the country.
Freshco
Another great grocery store that is super competitively priced is FreshCo. They are the discount banner of Sobeys Inc. Not only are they priced low, but Freshco price matches and beats the price by 1 cent as well, since they advertise unbeatable prices, just to help you save a little more.
That said, FreshCo is currently only located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Other provinces like Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia don’t have FreshCo stores yet.
You can find all of Freshco’s prices listed in their flyer. You can also earn scene points, so any potential points you can earn are listed in the flyer. With FreshCo’s in-stock guarantee, if the sale items are out of stock, you can get a rain check plus an extra 10% off.
On top of that, they also have a double fresh guarantee. This means that if you aren’t satisfied with something you purchase, they will not only refund you the money but also replace the product.
Giant Tiger
Giant Tiger is another really popular grocery chain. They are located across Canada except in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Just like many of the other grocery stores we have discussed, their main focus is to provide your family with the highest-quality groceries at the lowest prices.
This is one of the reasons that they also do price matching. Not only that, they offer plenty of other things, such as clothes, home furnishings, seasonal products, and much more.
When you shop with Giant Tiger, you don’t have to actually go into the store. You can shop online and either get your groceries delivered or pick them up. Orders over $50 can be eligible for free delivery as well. You can also get free in-store pickup if you order before noon. Items that aren’t perishable or grocery items can also be shipped to you once they are ordered online.
Another perk about shopping at Giant Tiger is their GT VIP program. Those who are registered for it get cool perks such as:
- Exclusive contests
- Exclusive sweepstakes
- Saving at restaurants
- Savings at sporting events
- Many different partnership perks
Maxi
Just like No Frills, Maxi is one of the grocery stores owned by Loblaws. The difference is that they are a discount retailer available only in Quebec. Their flyer is available online. They also price match, and you can order online for pickup and delivery. They even have their own coupons that you can check out on their website.
When you scroll through their website, you can tell right away it’s very similar to Superstore. You can even earn PC points through your PC Optimum account. They have also listed all of the products that will earn you extra points. You can also earn more by using your PC Financial Mastercard or bank account in conjunction with your PC Optimum account.
Save on Foods
Save-On-Foods hasn’t always been known for having the lowest prices. They have often focused on quality. While this is a great thing and what a lot of people look for in a grocery store, with the rise in inflation, they have also become one of the cheaper grocery stores. They have even started offering $1.49 days again on select Tuesdays throughout the year.
Surprisingly enough, Save-On-Foods also price-matches. This is really convenient and avoids you having to go to too many stores. They also have flyers, and you can earn Save on More rewards points toward free groceries or other rewards. They also offer grocery delivery and free pickup for your first 3 orders.
How to Spend Less Money on Groceries in Canada
As grocery prices climb, more people are trying to find ways to save where they can. There are a few simple things you can do to help you save a little money. It might not seem like much, but the more you do it, the more you save.
Buy in Bulk
While this isn’t always the case, many items are much cheaper to buy in bulk. Not only that, but buying them this way saves you from making a lot of trips to the store, which, in turn, can save you quite a bit of money on fuel. Be sure to do your research,h though and make sure you are getting a good deal.
Price Match
Price matching is actually pretty simple. You can do it with either a paper flyer or an app on your phone. All you have to do is show the deal when you go to pay. The price will then be changed at the till for you. This is great, especially when stacked with a points offer that you can use to get free groceries. It also saves you from shopping at too many stores.
Coupons
There are plenty of stores around that have in-store coupons. There are also manufacturer coupons. While a dollar here or there may seem insignificant, they can add up quite quickly. There are plenty of coupon websites that offer these coupons as well. You usually have your choice between print and mail coupons.
Shop the Flyers
When you make your weekly grocery list, shopping the flyer to plan your meals can be a great way to reduce your costs. Not only that, you can end up finding some new recipes and expanding your palate as well.
Which is Cheaper: Costco or Walmart?
This is a tricky question to answer. Technically, both of these places can be cheaper, depending on the item you are purchasing. The first reason for this is that Costco sells in bulk. Depending on which item you are purchasing and how many people will be using that item. It may not always be cheaper. It really depends on the shelf life. If you purchase it in bulk at a lower price but don’t use it all, is it actually cheaper?
When it comes to bulk grocery items like eggs, cheese, coffee, and crackers, Costco is the cheaper option. Many household snacks, frozen foods, and even everyday foods like yogurt and pasta can also be much cheaper. In cases like this, buying in bulk can save you lots of money.
Walmart, on the other hand, has very competitive prices. Items like toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies are actually much cheaper than you might expect. Much of this stems from Walmart having a much wider selection than Costco.
The Difference Between Walmart and Supermarkets
There are actually quite a few differences between Walmart and supermarkets. The first is that Walmart is a supercenter. A supercenter is a large discount department store with a large grocery selection. A supermarket is a self-service shopping center offering a wide variety of groceries and household items.
If you break that down a little further, you will notice that even though you can get groceries at Walmart, there are still plenty of things that you are unable to get there. These are things that you could find at a supermarket.
On the other hand, a Walmart supercenter is like a one-stop shop. You can get pretty much everything you need there. There are electronics, housewares, cosmetics, clothes and everything in between. You can get most of what you need there; there may just be the odd thing you need to grab somewhere else. Especially things like deli meats or more rare items.
Grocery Price Comparisons
When it comes to finding the best grocery prices where you live, the best way is to use an app. Essentially, these apps work by letting you enter your postal code and showing you flyers in your area.
From there, you just enter the item you are looking for, and it will show you all the stores that have it on sale and the price. You can then either shop at that store or take a screenshot and use it to match the price. Keep in mind, though, that not all of these apps show you regular prices; they only show sale items.
The top 5 recommended apps to compare prices are:
- Flipp
- Reebee
- Grocery King
- Instacart
- My Grocery Deals
While these apps are technically distinct and each has its own features, they are great for comparing grocery prices. It may not seem like much, but paying attention to price differences can save you quite a bit of money in the long run.
Which Grocery Store is Cheaper?
While Walmart is one of the most affordable grocery stores in Canada, there are other grocery stores that are equally as affordable or even more so. Let’s take a look at how some of these stores compare to Walmart.
No Frills Vs Walmart
While the cost of groceries at both Walmart and No Frills is comparable, pantry staples and overall grocery bills are slightly lower at No Frills. That said, you do have to pay attention to these discount chains. Private-label brands can be more expensive than no-name brands and can cause higher food prices.
Unlike traditional grocery stores, both Walmart Canada and No Frills stores have lower prices than other major grocery chains. They both offer affordable alternatives and everyday lower prices.
Freshco Vs Walmart
While both No Frills and Walmart are great alternatives to keep with your grocery budget, so is Freshco. They may not offer the lowest prices on all their products, but they price-match and have lower overall food costs. Another perk of FreshCo, though, is the gas discount when you shop there. This alone makes them slightly more affordable than Walmart.
While the average price of groceries is lower at Walmart, they will also price match and honour the last advertised price. They also offer a lot more than just food. However, if you’re looking for the best grocery store with low prices, Freshco is another that’s hard to beat.
Most Expensive Grocery Stores in Canada
Since we have already discussed the cheapest grocery stores in Canada, it only makes sense to discuss some of the most expensive as well. Many of these stores offer a wider variety of organic products than the stores we discussed above.
While all the stores focus on quality and competitive produce prices, having a wider selection can make a big difference to shoppers. Especially in the off-season when farmers’ markets aren’t running, having access to quality produce is important, even if there’s a slight addition to your grocery expenses.
Thrifty Foods
This is an example of an expensive grocery store. This chain is actually only located in British Columbia as well. Because it’s such a specialized store, there are plenty of items here that you can’t find anywhere else. They have a deli, a fresh bakery, and everything is organized by food category throughout the store.
Like other stores, Thrifty Foods has a flyer showing all the sales. They also allow you to shop online and pick up your order. They even offer catering, floral arrangements, cakes, as well as in-store shopping and delivery.
Sobeys
While you may have heard that Loblaws is the largest grocery chain in the country, Sobeys is actually the second-largest grocery chain in Canada. They offer plenty of services on their website, including online shopping, recipes, flyers, and other useful information.
They also show you ways to save money as a Sobeys customer. That said, they are a little more expensive because of the variety of foods and displays that they offer. This helps set them apart from other grocery store chains.
Metro
This is a grocery store that operates specifically in Ontario and Quebec. They have stores all over, including in southern Ontario. And, while they may not have the best prices, they are the third-largest grocer in Canada. This means that they must be doing something right.
On their website, you can access their flyers, recipes, and coupons. You can even order your groceries online through their app. Through there, you also have access to their rewards program, Thunderbucks. You can also browse Metro’s grocery options, which range from everyday items to specialty items.
Safeway
While there aren’t as many Safeways as there used to be, it’s still a popular place to shop. This can be surprising, even though their grocery prices are a bit higher, but Safeway prides itself on its customer service. They also have specialty bakeries, a full deli, and a florist, and they keep their aisles stocked and organized.
Also, these specialties that other stores don’t have set them apart. They also have other items that others don’t carry. Specifically, certain baked breads and pre-made meals in the deli.
Longos
This is a chain of supermarkets that specifically serves Southern Ontario. Just like Thrifty’s, their parent company is Sobeys. Because they are specific to one area of Canada, they are more distinctive. It also allows them to offer more specific items in their aisles.
When you take a look at Longos, you can see they strive to provide their customers with quality products. Right on their site, you can find flyers and a breakdown of every department in their store. They have a deli and a floral department. They even offer cooking classes.
You can also shop online at Longos and have your groceries delivered, or pick them up in-store. They even have thank-you rewards that let you earn points when you shop and discounts on your future purchases.
Where Should You Shop in the Territories?
When you live in the territories in Canada, grocery shopping becomes more difficult and more expensive. The reason grocery prices in the territories are so high is the cost of transporting them there; however, the Nutrition North Subsidy does help with some of this cost.
In terms of grocery stores, some of your most common options are:
- The North West Company Stores, like Northern Stores and Northmart
- Co-op grocery stores like those affiliated with Arctic Co-operative Stores
- Online alternatives like Arctic Fresh
- Local general stores
- Real Canadian Superstore
- Save on Foods
- Your Independent Grocer
- Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op
Are Costco Memberships Worth the Fee?
Whether having a membership to the Costco Wholesale Club is worth it depends on your shopping habits. If you walk or take transit and/or live alone, then Costco could end up costing you more. However, those in larger households can really benefit from a membership, including those who purchase fuel.
With a Costco membership, you can save upwards of 30 to 40 cents per litre. With a basic annual membership fee, you can get all of the perks of the membership without having to upgrade. However, you won’t receive any money back, unlike with the executive membership.
To make the warehouse membership cost worth it, you need to spend between $3,000 and $3,390 per year. This is just for the executive membership, though, to get your money back on the membership. You only need to spend half of this per year to get your money’s worth with the basic membership.
Cashback Apps and Stacking with Price Matching
When you use a cashback app, there are no rules that prevent you from stacking with price matching. In fact, that’s the best way to save even more money. When it comes to grocery shopping, the best apps are Checkout 51 and Caddle.
Checkout 51: When you sign up for Checkout 51, you get new offers every week. You select the offers that you want. You select redeem for the items you purchased and upload your receipt to prove your purchase. Once your receipt is approved, the funds will be uploaded to your Checkout 51 account, which you can cash in once you’ve reached $20.
Caddle: With Caddle, you can still earn money; however, there are also surveys you can do to earn money. All you have to do is sign up for the app and get started.
For other purchases, you can also use Rakuten cashback with price matching.
Senior and Student Discounts at Stores
Whether you’re a student or a senior, many different stores offer you discounts. Here’s a look at some of the best discounts for each category.
Seniors Discounts
If you’re a senior, many stores offer age-based discounts that vary by day. Some of the most popular stores that offer these discounts include:
- Shoppers Drug Mart: 20% off regular-priced items every Thursday for those over 65 with a PC Optimum Card
- Rexall: 20% off regular-priced items for those 55 and over, for those part of the Be Well program, every Tuesday.
- Bulk Barn: 10% off for those 65 and older on Wednesdays.
Student Discounts
At many stores in Canada, students also receive some great discounts. Some of these student discount programs include:
- SPC Card: This card gives you savings of 10% to 25% at over 450 brands. It’s free with eligible CIBC accounts, or it costs $11.99 annually.
- Bulk Barn: 10% off on Wednesday as long as you have a valid student ID.
- Goodwill: Get 20% off regular-priced items every Tuesday with a valid ID.
What is the Grocery Code of Conduct?
The Canada Grocery Code of Conduct is relatively new, and only started on January 1, 2026. This is an industry-led framework intended to establish fair, ethical, and transparent commercial standards for both food suppliers and grocers. With shrinkflation and the need for increased food bank access, it was decided that the grocery industry needed more regulation.
The Cheapest Grocery Stores in Quebec and Atlantic Canada
If you live in Quebec or Atlantic Canada, there are plenty of grocery stores to choose from. In terms of affordable grocery stores, here are some of the most popular:
- Maxi
- Super C
- Walmart
- FreshCo
Some other options that may not be as cheap but are extremely popular include:
- Co-op Grocery
- IGA Quebec
- Buy-Low Foods
- Your Independent Grocer
- Provigo
- Fortinos
- Farm Boy
What are Some Discount Apps for Near-Expired Food?
When you grocery shop in Canada, a good way to save money is to check out apps that offer food discounts, including discounted produce boxes, imperfect produce, clearance discounts, and even expiry-date markdowns. Two of the most popular apps for this are the Flashfood app and Too Good to Go.
Flashfood: With Flashfood, you can purchase discounted groceries and items nearing expiration.
Too Good to Go: With Too Good to Go, you can purchase discounted overstock from restaurants in your area.
Ethnic Stores and Independent Stores Worth Trying
With food, it’s easy to get bored with your everyday grocery purchases. This is why meal kits and Amazon grocery delivery are so popular. However, there are other stores you can try, including independent and ethnic stores. While there are a ton to choose from, here are a few honourable mentions.
T&T Supermarket: T&T is the largest Asian grocery chain in Canada, offering a wide selection of foods, including produce, seafood, and Asian specialty products.
Adonis: If you’re looking for Mediterranean food, then this is the place to go in Quebec. They offer unique foods, and you can even get 1-hour delivery.
Nesters Market: This is a Canadian-owned grocery chain based in BC and Alberta. They offer a variety of foods and are known for their fresh groceries.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to groceries, there are many ways to save money, including using credit card rewards, getting cash back on groceries, comparing unit prices, and even stockpiling sale items. When it comes to grocery stores that you shop at, you need to consider curbside pickup fees, delivery fee comparisons and self-checkout policies.
By comparing all of these things, you can find some of the best deals and ways to save yourself even more money. The trick to grocery shopping is shopping around. Every store is going to have different prices and different sales, but when you combine them, that’s where you find your savings.
