Grocery shopping these days can be painful with sky-high prices. It’s only going to get worse if inflation continues to rise.
To help alleviate some of the stress on your budget, I’ve found the cheapest places to buy groceries in Calgary to help make your money go further.
Tips to Save Money at the Grocery Store
Canadians have been seeing big price increases at the grocery store. But food suppliers warn that things aren’t going to improve any time soon.
The jump in prices in the market, along with soaring real estate and crippling inflation, left many Canadians struggling week to week.
Finding ways to scrimp and save can make a world of difference, especially regarding your grocery budget. Here are some ideas to get the most bang for your buck at the supermarket.
- Stick to your grocery list. Plan out your meals before you head to the store. Think of the dinners you’ll cook for the upcoming week, including lunch and breakfast items. Once that’s done, make a list and stick to it when you hit the store. Adding extras or things you really don’t need will only add to your sticker shock when you check out.
- Check weekly ads. Remember that meal plan mentioned above? Before you decide what to eat, check out your grocery store’s weekly circular for the sales items and incorporate them into your menu planning.
- Price match. You don’t have to drive around to different stores to stock up on the best deals. Find a grocery store that allows you to price match its competitors, and you’ll save time and money.
- Go meatless. Meat prices have skyrocketed and will probably make a big dent in your grocery budget. So why not try some dinners without meat as the focal point? Load up on hearty soups, stir fry or pasta and hold the meat.
Cheapest Grocery Stores in Calgary
1. No Frills
How customers can save:
- Won’t Be Beat price matching program
- Earn points with their reward card
- Limited brand name stock and basic marketing
No Frills is a discount retailer found throughout Calgary. They have eight locations throughout the city, making it easy to find one wherever you are.
The store saves customers money because it rarely carries brand name items and has a limited selection of each product.
Because of this, there’s less inventory to track, and fewer workers needed. That saving gets passed on to the customers.
In addition to a weekly flyer, customers can use their rewards card to earn points and save more with multi-buy deals.
The store features a “We Won’t Be Beat” program where they will match prices from a competitor’s store.
2. Giant Tiger
How customers can save:
- Weekly flyer showcasing low-priced deals
- Ad match guarantee
- Items regularly marked down to clearance
- Senior day discount
Giant Tiger is a discount retailer that offers groceries, fashion, and household items at low prices. They have an ad match guarantee if you find an item cheaper at one of its competitors.
In addition, you’ll find plenty of items already at low prices. The store uses advertised “Hot Buys” and “Smart Choice” to help customers save money.
Seniors are eligible for an extra 10% off every first Monday of the month.
3. Real Canadian Superstore
How customers can save:
- Ad match guarantee
- Buy the club-sized version and save more
- Free with purchase item in-store flyers
There are lots of ways to save at Real Canadian Superstore, from price match guarantees to savings on multi-item purchases.
The store offers club-sized items on frequently used everyday products that are cheaper to buy in bulk. In addition, there are hundreds of no-brand-name products that will save customers tons of money.
Real Canadian Superstore also offers set prices on everyday items like yogurt, frozen vegetables, and cheese.
4. FreshCo
How customers can save:
- Lowest price guarantee with price match option
- The store will replace and reimburse an item if the customer is unhappy
- If an item isn’t in stock, you will get a rain check and 10% off
FreshCo recently opened six stores throughout Alberta. The discount grocer is committed to offering customers fresh food at low prices.
Those familiar with the store know that in addition to their regular everyday savings, FreshCo guarantees the lowest price. If you find a retailer offering a lower one, FreshCo will match it.
In addition, if you aren’t satisfied with an item, you can return it within 14 days for a refund and replacement. If an advertised item isn’t in stock, you’ll receive a raincheck and get 10% off.
Other Options
5. Fresh Routes
How customers can save:
- The food gets purchased at wholesale prices.
- 20%-40% cheaper than regular grocery stores
- As a pop-up store, it’s available daily at different locations throughout the city.
Not all food savings have to come from a big chain grocery store. Fresh Routes is a pop-up grocery store that “pops up” in seven different locations throughout the city.
Because they can buy the food at wholesale prices, they can pass those savings on to the customer, making prices much lower than in typical grocery stores.
Fresh Routes is a non-profit organization committed to helping people afford groceries. While the pop-up is geared towards lower-income people, anyone can come and shop.
6. CultivatR
How customers can save:
- Food gets delivered right to your door, saving time.
- Works with local vendors to avoid excessive shipping and supplier costs.
- Local producers set their own prices without regard to inflation and transportation issues.
CultivatR is a different way to purchase groceries while supporting local farmers.
These farmers employ a predictive farming model, which means they use technology to predict the demand for how much to grow. This cuts down on waste and keeps costs consistent.
All the products are local, which means customers will get the freshest cuts of meat, fruits and vegetables.
Because everything is local, there are no added transportation fees and supply issues that affect grocery stores. It also cuts down on the price of each item.
7. Asian Grocery Stores
How customers can save:
- Seasonal and local produce: Many Asian grocery stores source seasonal and local produce, which can often be cheaper.
- Bulk buying: Items, especially dry goods like rice, noodles, and spices, are often available in larger quantities, which can reduce the cost per unit.
- Direct import: Many Asian grocery stores directly import goods from Asia, cutting out the middleman and often offering lower prices.
- Competitive pricing for Asian-specific goods: For items that are common in Asian cooking but not as much in Western cooking (like certain types of vegetables, spices, noodles, or sauces), Asian grocery stores often have much better prices than mainstream stores, where these items might be considered specialty goods.
If you love Asian food, you should check out some of the Asian grocery stores in Calgary. Here are some notable stores:
- T&T Supermarket: This is one of the largest Asian supermarket chains in Canada. The store offers a wide range of products from East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines). T&T in Calgary typically includes a bakery, sushi bar, and a hot food section.
- H-Mart: H-Mart is a Korean supermarket chain that also carries a range of Asian food products. It’s a good place to find Korean ingredients, snacks, prepared foods, and more.
- Basha Foods International: Although Basha Foods International caters to a wide variety of ethnic foods, it also has a substantial selection of Middle Eastern, South Asian and Mediterranean foods.
- Lucky Supermarket: This supermarket is well-regarded for Southeast Asian food items, particularly those used in Vietnamese and Filipino cuisines.
Final Thoughts
As long as you scour the weekly store circulars and stick to your list, you’ll find that you won’t overspend on your grocery budget.
As prices keep increasing, you may need to find additional ways to save – think meal planning, coupon apps, and less prepackaged food.
If that’s still not enough, check out these ways to save money on a tight budget.
