What are the cheapest grocery stores to shop at? With grocery prices on the rise, that is a question that many Canadians are constantly asking. Now, more so than ever, consumers are on the lookout for ways to save money on essentials.

Below we have assembled a list of 6 of the cheapest grocery stores you can shop at. In addition, we have highlighted various programs and tips that will help you save even more when you shop at these stores.

Here we go!

6 Cheapest Grocery Stores to Shop at and How To Save Money There

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1. No Frills

They have stores in all provinces except QC.

While many grocery stores carry thousands of products, No Frills carries fewer products at relatively lower prices. They are able to pass more savings to their customers “by leaving products on display in their cardboard shipping cartons, with the sides cut away”.

• Do they price match?

  Yes. They have a “Won’t Be Beat” program wherein if you find a cheaper price for an identical item, you show it to them and they will match its price.



• Do they have a flyer?

  Yes. You can find it here. Their weekly flyer features hundreds of deals on meat and other packaged goods.

Additionally, you can earn points when you shop at No Frills through the PC optimum card.

2. Walmart

They have stores in all provinces.

Walmart promises “Everyday Low Prices” to their customers. Keeping in line with this, Walmart tries to consistently provide low prices for products even when big sales events are not happening.

• Do they price match?

  No. Walmart no longer price matches as of October 2020.”



• Do they have a flyer?

  Yes. You can find it here. Their weekly flyer features hundreds of deals on meat and other packaged goods.

In addition to their price match and flyer programs, Walmart has a Walmart Rewards Mastercard. You can earn rewards if you pay for your purchases using this card. All these programs make Walmart Canada one of the cheapest grocery stores to shop at.

3. FreshCo.

They have stores only in ON, MT and BC.

FreshCo is the discount banner of Sobeys Inc. FreshCo claims to check the top 1000 selling items every week at their competitors’ stores to ensure that customers get the best prices around.

• Do they price match?

  Yes. They have a “cheaper guaranteed” program that ensures that if a major supermarket competitor within your local store’s geographic trade area offers a lower price on any item that they carry in their store, you can simply show them their price in their current flyer/ad or on their receipt and they will sell you that item for 1¢ less.”



• Do they have a flyer?

  Yes. You can find it here. Their weekly flyer features hundreds of deals on produce, packaged goods and more.

4. Giant Tiger / Tigre Géant

They have stores in all provinces except BC and NL.

• Do they price match?

  Yes. Their “Ad Match Guarantee” promises they will beat the advertised price of any competitor. If you are in their store, you will have to present the valid flyer to the cashier for their approval. Once approved, they will beat the price by 1¢.



• Do they have a flyer?

  Yes. You can find it here. Their weekly flyer features hundreds of deals on produce, groceries, apparel and more.

In addition to their price match and flyer programs, they have their loyalty program called GT VIP. Members receive benefits including exclusive contests and sweepstakes, as well as partnership perks such as savings at restaurant and sporting events.

5. Maxi

They have stores in only QC.

They are a discount grocery retailer present only in Quebec.

• Do they price match?

  Yes. Maxi’s price match policy is if a major supermarket competitor located in Quebec offers a lower price on any item they carry, they will match it. However, the caveat is that the price matching is limited to 4 units per item.



• Do they have a flyer?

  Yes. You can find it here. Their weekly flyer has hundreds of discounted products including produce, meat and other groceries.

Additionally, you can earn points when you shop at Maxi through the PC optimum card. 

6. Save-On-Foods

They have stores only in AB, BC, MT, SK, YT.

• Do they price match?

  Yes. Save-on-Foods’ price match policy is “If a national brand equivalent is offered at a lower advertised price on any identical Western Family grocery item (size, etc.) on the current list of Western Family & National Brand Equivalent (subject to change), you are entitled to one (1) item per product family free of charge. Additional items may be purchased at our national brand equivalent current advertised price”. Yet, this policy excludes Yù™, Sundar™, ValuePriced™, Freshex™, or Western Family Signature™ products. .”



• Do they have a flyer?

  Yes. You can find it here. Their weekly flyer has hundreds of discounted products including produce, meat and other groceries.

In addition to their price match and flyer programs, Save-On-Foods has a “More Rewards” points card,  where you earn points for every dollar spent on purchases made at their stores. 

Other Stores to Consider:

Apart from the major retailers, there are several independent grocery stores in various Canadian cities that are considered discount stores.  

Oftentimes, ethnic stores such as Indian, Asian and European grocery stores also have heavily discounted groceries and can be considered as some of the cheapest grocery stores to shop at.