Best Grocery Stores That Make Life Easier for Newcomers

Grocery “sticker shock” is consistently ranked as a top financial concern for newcomers during their first 90 days in Canada.

Many newcomers arrive juggling tight budgets, unfamiliar brands, and the added challenge of finding culturally familiar food, while trying to stretch limited funds.

While inflation affects everyone, new residents often face the additional challenge of finding a store that balances affordable staples with the familiar ingredients needed for culturally diverse cooking.

Not all supermarkets serve this need equally. A store that offers the lowest price on bulk rice may charge a premium for fresh produce, while others may offer “ad match” policies that can significantly reduce monthly expenses if used correctly.

This article ranks the best grocery stores in Canada based on the criteria that matter most to new arrivals: price stability, the availability of international items, and accessibility without a vehicle.

We analyze the trade-offs between “discount” and “full-service” grocers to help you determine which store best fits your household’s budget and lifestyle.

You can shop smarter once you know which stores are cheap and which ones are for fancy food.

This isn’t just a rankings list. It’s designed to help you plan your weekly budget, choose stores with international food options, and understand where price matching and loyalty programs can make the biggest difference in your first year.

Disclaimer: TrueCanadianFinds.com provides general information for newcomers. The author is not a financial advisor or immigration consultant. This article is a curation of publicly available data and official sources. Always consult a professional for your specific situation

What Are The Top 10 Grocery Stores in Canada?

1. Costco Wholesale Canada

Why It’s Top: Think of Costco as the superhero of bulk buying. Their Kirkland Signature brand isn’t just a label—it’s a cult favourite for everything from organic quinoa to rotisserie chickens.

• Savings Hack: A $65 annual membership unlocks bulk deals that slash 30% off regular retail prices.
• Quality Check: Costco’s meat and produce sections rival specialty stores, with USDA Prime beef and pesticide-free apples.
• Regional Reach: Nationwide, but warehouse-style shopping means fewer locations. Plan trips strategically.

2. Walmart Canada Supercentres

Why It’s Top: Walmart’s grocery aisles are like a Swiss Army knife—affordable, versatile, and surprisingly sharp on quality.

• Savings Hack: Use their app for “Rollback” alerts. A 2023 study found Walmart’s price-matching saves shoppers $22 per trip. You can save even more money by finding other stores that let you pay the lower price found in a different store’s flyer.
• Quality Check: Their “Marketplace Fresh” line offers restaurant-grade steaks and sushi-grade salmon at 20% below competitors.

Fun Fact: Over 90% of Canadians live within 15 km of a Walmart.

3. No Frills (Loblaw owned)

Why It’s Top: No Frills is the Marie Kondo of grocery stores—no fancy displays, just joy-sparking prices.

• Savings Hack: The PC Optimum app turns points into free groceries. Regular users report $500+ annual savings.
• Quality Check: PC Blue Menu products (like gluten-free pasta) undercut name brands by 40% without skimping on taste. You can save even more money if you know which yellow-label products are just as good as big brands you see on TV.

Pro Tip: Look for “50% Off” stickers on near-expiry items—perfect for freezer stocking.

Remember to bring a coin with you because many discount stores make you pay to use a shopping cart until you bring it back.

4. Real Canadian Superstore – RCSS (Loblaw Owned)

Why It’s Top: This is where global flavours meet local prices. Their international aisles stock everything from Korean gochujang to Moroccan couscous.

• Savings Hack: Combine weekly flyer deals with PC Optimum points for stacked discounts.
• Quality Check: In-house bakeries bake fresh sourdough daily, cheaper than boutique bakeries.

Did You Know? Their Click & Collect service waives pickup fees for orders over $35.

5. Sobeys

Why It’s Top: Sobeys treats veggies like VIPs—local farms supply 60% of their produce within 24 hours of harvest.

• Savings Hack: Scene+ members can earn points on grocery purchases at Sobeys and redeem them for discounts.
• Quality Check: Their “Compliments” brand includes antibiotic-free chicken and nitrate-free bacon.
• Regional Gem: Atlantic Canadians swear by Sobeys’ seafood deals, like $5/lb mussels during peak season.

6. Metro

Why It’s Top: Metro is the James Bond of Quebec and Ontario—sleek, reliable, and always prepared (with ready-to-eat meals).

• Savings Hack: The “Metro & Moi” loyalty program gives $4 in rewards for every 500 points.
• Quality Check: Their “Irresistibles” line includes Quebec-made cheeses and Ontario craft beers.
• Stat Alert: Metro’s organic sales grew 25% in 2023—proof that healthy can be affordable.

If you have a sensitive stomach, you should look for the best milk and cheese that will not make you sick while you shop these aisles.

7. FreshCo (Sobeys Owned)

Why It’s Top: FreshCo is the underdog that punches above its weight. Imagine a dollar store, but with farm-fresh eggs.

• Savings Hack: Their price-match guarantee covers major competitors like Walmart and No Frills.
• Quality Check: Produce is sorted daily—slightly bruised fruits get discounted, not dumped.
• Ontario Focus: 85% of stores are in Ontario, often in neighbourhoods ignored by pricier chains.
• Scene+ Integration: FreshCo is part of the Scene+ loyalty program, which allows customers to earn points on their purchases. This program enhances the shopping experience by providing additional savings and rewards opportunities.

8. Food Basics (Metro)

Why It’s Top: This is where college students and coupon queens unite. The shelves aren’t pretty, but the prices are poetry.

• Savings Hack: Flyer deals like 0.88/lbbananasor0.88/lbbananasor2.99 whole chickens.
• Quality Check: Their “Purely” organic line costs 30% less than at Metro’s main stores.

If you do not eat milk or cream, you can also find many tasty plant-based yogurts that are sold at these same big grocery stores

Quirky Perk: Some locations host “mystery sales” with unadvertised discounts.

9. Save-On-Foods (Pattison Group Owned)

Why It’s Top: Western Canada’s answer to Whole Foods, minus the hipster tax.

• Savings Hack: The “More Rewards” program gives points redeemable for flights or groceries.
• Quality Check: Their “Western Family” brand includes BC wines and Alberta beef.
• BC Bonus: Many stores have bulk bins for zero-waste shopping—a money and planet saver.

Many people like to shop here because it is part of a group of food stores that are owned by Canadians and not by big foreign companies.

10. T&T Supermarket (Loblaw)

Why It’s Top: Asia’s culinary wonders, under one roof. Think Hokkaido milk bread meets Szechuan hot pot kits.

• Savings Hack: Weekly “Asian Fusion” deals blend traditional ingredients with Canadian twists.
• Quality Check: Live seafood tanks ensure your tilapia swam that morning.
• Cultural Win: Staff can recommend substitutes for hard-to-find ingredients—no more Googling in aisles!

It is a good idea to compare the costs of buying food at small ethnic markets versus the big stores to find the best deals.

How to Hack Your Grocery Budget

• Loyalty Loophole: Combine apps like PC Optimum and Scene+. One Toronto mom saved $1,200/year by “double-dipping” points.
• Flash Freeze Frenzy: Buy discounted meats at FreshCo or Food Basics, then freeze. A 10 family pack becomes 10familypackbecomesfive2 meals.
• Price Match Like a Pro: Apps like Flipp let you compare deals across Canada’s biggest supermarkets in seconds.

Why Quality Isn’t a Luxury

Imagine biting into a mealy apple versus a crisp, juicy one. That’s the difference between “cheap” and smart shopping.

Stores like Sobeys and Metro prove affordable can still mean fresh—their supply chains are shorter than a TikTok video, slashing costs and preservatives.

Even discount Canadian grocery chains now stock organic lines; Food Basics’ “Purely” brand outsold Loblaws’ organic line in 2023.

Conclusion: Your Cart, Your Rules

Canada’s grocery landscape is like a buffet—options for every palate and pocket. Whether you’re bulk-buying at Costco or hunting T&T’s dim sum deals, the secret is mixing strategy with spontaneity.

Next time you’re at a famous grocery store, check the discount racks or ask about loyalty perks. Your wallet (and your taste buds) will thank you.

If you want to see all your options, you can look at the list of the largest food stores in the country.

Hungry for more tips? Share your favourite grocery hack below—we’ll feature the best ones in our next guide!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best grocery store in Canada?

Loblaws is one of the top grocery stores in Canada, offering a wide selection, President’s Choice products, and the PC Optimum rewards program.

2. Where can I buy affordable groceries in Canada?

For affordable groceries in Canada, No Frills and Walmart Supercentre are popular choices known for low prices and extensive product ranges.

Which grocery stores in Canada have loyalty programs?

Grocery stores in Canada with popular loyalty programs include Loblaws (PC Optimum), Sobeys (Scene+), and Metro (Metro&moi). These programs offer points on purchases and exclusive discounts.