As of November 2025, No Frills is the cheapest grocery store in Canada. The average cost is $8.10 per item.
When deciding which grocery store is best for your needs, price should be considered along with other factors like shopping experience, quality, rewards potential, and location. You might also consider places like Food Basics, Giant Tiger, your local Asian grocery store, or even Costco.
We've checked prices for 30 everyday grocery items at five major grocery chains, so you can ensure you're shopping smart and saving money for your family.
Key Takeaways
- The cheapest grocery store in Canada on average is No Frills, followed very closely by Walmart.
- Other things to keep in mind when choosing a grocery store are location, item quality, shopping experience, available rewards programs, and price matching policies.
- Maximize grocery savings by shopping sales and using the right credit card.
Comparing the cheapest grocery stores
To determine which grocery store is the cheapest in Canada, we set our location to Ontario and researched 30 everyday grocery essentials at five of the largest grocery store chains.
For this comparison, we used regular prices rather than sale prices, and in-house brand products whenever possible. We also used the most commonly used product sizes and weights, not necessarily the largest size (and therefore the cheapest price).
Here's what we found:
| Product | Measurement | Sobeys | Walmart | Loblaws | Metro | No Frills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean ground beef | kg | $19.82 | $17.60 | $23.30 | $20.92 | $20.00 |
| Pork tenderloin | kg | $15.41 | $13.90 | $15.35 | $16.51 | $11.44 |
| Chicken breast (boneless, skinless) | kg | $21.58 | $13.90 | $22.02 | $20.92 | $14.31 |
| Ham (boneless, smoked) | kg | $18.00 | $16.30 | $16.70 | $16.30 | $16.70 |
| Bacon (Maple Leaf) | kg | $25.30 | $25.28 | $26.70 | $23.97 | $26.60 |
| Salmon (fresh fillet) | kg | $37.46 | $37 | $35.25 | $35.25 | $24.23 |
| Tuna (Clover Leaf chunk light, skipjack in water) | kg | $11.70 | $11.10 | $14.11 | $13.47 | $11.70 |
| 2% milk (2L) | L | $2.80 | $3.49 | $4.17 | $3.05 | $2.67 |
| Butter (salted) | kg | $13.20 | $13.00 | $13.20 | $13.20 | $13.00 |
| Cheddar cheese (block) | kg | $17.50 | $13.70 | $14.30 | $16 | $13.70 |
| Eggs (white, large) | Egg | $0.41 | $0.41 | $0.33 | $0.33 | $0.33 |
| Bread (white) | kg | $5.10 | $5.20 | $3.70 | $2.90 | $2.90 |
| Rice (instant, long grain) | kg | $8.30 | $7.80 | $9.30 | $8.60 | $7.80 |
| Spaghetti | kg | $3.54 | $2.20 | $2.50 | $2.00 | $2.20 |
| All-purpose flour (Robin Hood) | kg | $3.20 | $2.39 | $2.80 | $2.80 | $2.40 |
| Apples (Gala) | kg | $5.49 | $3.20 | $6.61 | $6.59 | $4.41 |
| Oranges | kg | $5.14 | $5.12 | $1.81 | $5.10 | $3.30 |
| Bananas | kg | $1.96 | $1.90 | $1.74 | $1.74 | $1.30 |
| Orange juice | L | $3.99 | $3.65 | $3.33 | $3.33 | $2.67 |
| Tomatoes (vine) | kg | $7.69 | $7.10 | $6.60 | $6.59 | $4.39 |
| Lettuce (iceberg) | Head | $4.99 | $2.97 | $4.99 | $4.99 | $3.99 |
| Mixed frozen vegetables | kg | $4.92 | $3.70 | $5 | $4.90 | $4.00 |
| Carrots (market) | lb | $1.50 | $0.81 | $1.17 | $2 | $1.16 |
| Sugar (granulated) | kg | $1.70 | $1.69 | $1.70 | $1.70 | $1.70 |
| Extra virgin olive oil | L | $15.99 | $11.44 | $14.00 | $11.99 | $13.99 |
| Coffee (Maxwell House, ground) | kg | $27.80 | $20.00 | $28.90 | $26.70 | $22.20 |
| Tea (Red Rose orange pekoe) | Tea bag | $0.10 | $0.09 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.10 |
| Vinegar (white) | L | $2.99 | $1.77 | $2.00 | $1.79 | $1.79 |
| Ketchup | L | $4.99 | $4.27 | $6.49 | $5.49 | $3.50 |
| Peanut butter | kg | $5.79 | $4.27 | $6.00 | $4.99 | $4.50 |
| Total cost | $298.36 | $254.95 | $294.47 | $283.95 | $242.98 | |
| Average price per item | $9.93 | $8.50 | $9.82 | $9.47 | $8.10 |
All prices were noted on November 17, 2025, in Ontario. Prices may vary by location and are for illustrative purposes only.
Here’s the average price-per-item by store:
- Sobeys: $9.93
- Walmart: $8.50
- Loblaws: $9.82
- Metro: $9.47
- No Frills: $8.10
No Frills is the overall cheapest grocery store in Canada
Overall, No Frills has the cheapest option for 13 of the 30 items researched. The average price per item is $8.10, which is marginally lower than Walmart's average of $8.50 per item.
Interestingly, Walmart has the cheapest option for 16 of the 30 items on our list – more than No Frills. This obviously means that some of No Frills' prices were significantly lower than Walmart's.
Sobeys had the highest prices of all five stores we researched, with a per-item average cost of $9.93.
But shopping around is the best way to pay the lowest prices
No Frills didn't always have the cheapest option for each item – it's just the overall average that came out on top.
If you were to look at specific types of food, it’s clear that Walmart actually beats NO Frills in the fruits and veggie category:
| Category | Sobeys | Walmart | Loblaws | Metro | No Frills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall average | $9.93 | $8.50 | $8.82 | $9.47 | $8.10 |
| Meat average | $21.32 | $19.23 | $21.92 | $21.05 | $17.85 |
| Fruits and veggies average | $4.35 | $3.54 | $4.03 | $4.49 | $3.22 |
| Pantry items | $7.44 | $5.59 | $7.38 | $6.62 | $6.02 |
If you want to really get the best bang for your buck, try shopping around at different stores for different categories of food items.
Stores with low prices across Canada
From coast-to-coast chains to province-specific stores, here is a list of the cheapest grocery store names in Canada – and an overview of what kinds of cheap items you can find at each one.
No Frills
In every province except Quebec (also not in the territories), No Frills is a destination for Canadians on the hunt for cheap groceries in Canada. Their “Won’t Be Beat” price matching program is a great money-saver, as is the PC Optimum program with additional rewards.
No Frills doesn't have in-house butchers, bakeries, or delis – in other words, there are “no frills.”
Here's the No Frills weekly flyer.
Walmart Canada
In every province, Walmart sells cheap fresh produce, packaged goods, and meat and dairy products.
Prices are low, but some shoppers report that No Frills beats out Walmart in some cases.
Here’s the Walmart Canada weekly flyer.
Real Canadian Superstore
This chain has cheap grocery store staples available in eight provinces, plus the Yukon.
Look here for affordable no-name items, and don’t forget to take advantage of their price-matching program.
Here’s their weekly flyer.
Giant Tiger
Giant Tiger has locations in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, as well as under the GTExpress and Scott’s Discount banners in Ontario and Tigre Géant in Quebec. The chain offers household and food items at a discount, but be aware that some shoppers report varying quality in the meat products.
Giant Tiger will beat local competitor prices by 1 cent and has a VIP program for extra savings.
Here are their flyers and deals.
FreshCo
Groceries are relatively inexpensive here, although some customers have reported issues with freshness. However, FreshCo price matches and boasts an in-stock guarantee as well as a “double fresh” guarantee.
FreshCo is in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Here’s the FreshCo flyer.
Food Basics
This Ontario-only chain is popular for super cheap items, especially when you take advantage of deals. It’s pretty bare-bones and offers a self-serve approach, with no reward cards.
Still, this Metro-owned brand offers regular deals on key grocery items.
Here’s this week's flyer from Food Basics.
Marketplace IGA
This Sobeys-owned chain operates in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. There are also co-branded IGA Co-op stores in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Its “Unbeatable Price” slogan confirms that it will price-match with other stores, offering you a price of 1 cent less than the competitor.
Here’s the IGA flyer.
Save-On-Foods
This inexpensive grocery chain price matches with competitors and has locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon.
Many stores have a pharmacy or other adjacent services, such as Tim Hortons.
Here’s the weekly flyer from Save-On-Foods.
Super C
Quebec residents know and love Super C for its low prices and quality items.
Expect better-than-average quality compared to other supermarkets.
Here’s the flyer for Super C.
Maxi
This is another Quebec-only chain that sells affordable grocery items. It offers price matching with its Quebec competitors.
You'll find its flyers and deals here.
How to get the best deals on specific grocery items
To get the best deals, you need to adapt your shopping strategy to the type of item.
Buy in bulk to save the most on:
- Grains, pasta, cereal
- Canned items
- Toilet paper and household items
Wait for a sale to save the most on:
- Pantry staples like oil
- Seasonal items that will keep
Buy items that are near their expiration date to save the most on:
- Fresh produce
- Meat and dairy
How to choose the best grocery store for you
Finding the lowest price is just one way to make the most of your grocery shopping.
Take into account things like:
- Location
- Item quality and shopping experience
- Available rewards
- Price matching
- Bulk shopping options
While No Frills was ultimately the lowest average price on this basket of goods, it was only by a couple of dollars and not consistently across all products. If you want the best grocery store overall, you'll need to consider more factors.
Let's take a look at what you can consider when choosing your go-to grocery store:
1. Location
Stores that are further away will generally cost you more in both time and gas money. Though rising grocery prices are impacting all Canadians, rising gas prices are also a major concern for anyone who owns a car. Don’t spend more on gas just to save money on groceries.
And above financial concerns, it's also important not to waste too much of your time shopping for the best deal (unless that brings you joy, in which case, go for it!). Spending 3 hours visiting several grocery stores just to get a few dollars off your bill may not be as fulfilling as the many other things you could be doing in that time.
2. Quality of items and shopping experience
Another important aspect to consider is the quality of the items they offer, as well as the overall shopping experience.
Walmart is the second-cheapest store, but many of Walmarts I've visited have been exceedingly cramped, busy, and uncomfortable. Sometimes it's worth it to have wider aisles and a less busy parking lot, even if it means a few extra dollars on your bill.
Walmart is ideal for boxed or canned items, but note that its products aren't always the freshest. Every bunch of bananas I grab there seems to rot before they even fully ripen, which is not the case for other grocery stores.
3. Rewards programs
Using the right credit card and/or maximizing the rewards program could yield huge returns on your grocery purchases, all the way up to 10% back in rewards with the American Express Cobalt Card.
Each grocery store listed here has some kind of rewards incentive:
- Sobeys now offers the super flexible Scene+ program, which includes the ability to get up to 6 points per $1 spent if you use your Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.
- Loblaws has PC Optimum bonuses when you shop with them, which can be enhanced by using the PC Financial Mastercards.
- Metro has started rolling out its MOI program.
- Walmart lets you earn Walmart Rewards Dollars with their credit cards, the Walmart Rewards Mastercard and Walmart Rewards World Mastercard.
Finding the right option for you and sticking to it is key to saving money.
4. Price-matching programs
If you're a mega-deal chaser, you can take advantage of price match policies to secure the lowest prices in the market at your favourite store (and earn your regular rewards on it while you're at it).
Here's a summary of price-matching policies at some major grocery stores:
| Store | Do they price match? | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Sobeys | No | N/A |
| Walmart | No | N/A |
| Superstore | Yes | Superstore Ad Match policy |
| Metro | No | N/A |
| No Frills | Yes | No Frills Price Match policy |
| Save-On-Foods | Yes | Save-On-Foods We Match policy |
5. Bulk shopping options
If you have space, bulk shopping can be a very affordable alternative. Most shops offer discount bulk packages of a product, so you end up paying less per item.
For instance, let's say a three-pack of multicoloured bell peppers at Loblaws costs $6 (which works out to $2 per pepper). But buying a single bell pepper will cost you between $2.16 and $2.90 – that’s a possible 90 cents in savings for buying in bulk.
Which is cheaper: Costco or Walmart?
Walmart and Costco offer comparable prices on many items, but Costco’s per-item average is lower than Walmart's.
Walmart tends to be cheaper than Costco when it comes to small-sized produce, base items like peanut butter, off-brand products like graham crackers, and most meats.
Costco can be cheaper than Walmart if you like specific products and you’re buying in bulk. Organic items and kitchen staples (like flour and olive oil) tend to be cheaper at Costco.
Here’s why some shoppers are big fans of Costco:
- Better quality products across all categories
- Many items are cheaper when bought in bulk, like eggs and toilet paper
- Expiration dates farther out
But there are some drawbacks to shopping at Costco:
- Per-item cost is lower, but you pay more upfront since you’re buying in bulk
- Requires a membership fee (you can also shop using Costco Shop Cards, which must be purchased by members)
$25 GeniusCash + Total of $60 off your first four orders + free delivery (Eligible for New Customers in ON and QC only)
Food inflation in Canada: 2025 update
According to Statistics Canada, food prices declined in February 2025 for the first time since 2017. Restaurant prices also went down by 5.1%.
Despite this, inflation increased in January 2025, although it remained lower than the Bank of Canada's target rate.
We're still waiting for the 2026 report, but Canada's Food Price Report 2025 (released in December 2024) predicted that food prices will increase by 3% to 5% as the year progresses. Here's a look at how prices for various categories of food were expected to change:
| Category | Change |
|---|---|
| Baked goods | Up 2% - 4% |
| Dairy | Up 2% - 4% |
| Fruit | Up 1% - 3% |
| Vegetables | Up 3% - 5% |
| Meat | Up 4% - 6% |
| Seafood | Up 1% - 3% |
| Miscellaneous | Up 2% - 4% |
How could new U.S. tariffs impact grocery prices?
Unfortunately, the recently announced potential tariffs on imports from the U.S.A. will have a significant effect on grocery prices, as will Canada's potential counter-tariffs. Higher costs for farmers and suppliers will inevitably result in higher prices for consumers.
It's difficult to predict exactly how much prices will rise, but a CBC news article reports that we can expect overall inflation to go up by 0.5% or even 1%.
Retailers might discount American products at first, trying to get rid of existing stock, but prices will certainly rise once this stock runs out. At the time of writing, sources say that Canadians will likely see higher food prices within just weeks, starting with fresh fruit and vegetables.
FAQ
What's the cheapest grocery store in Canada?
No Frills has the lowest average prices of all the stores we compared, but it's very closely followed by Walmart. Our research shows that while No Frills' prices are significantly lower overall, Walmart has more items at lower prices.
How can I get cheap groceries in Canada?
You can try price matching, redeeming coupons, using various apps, and taking advantage of rewards programs. If you have space for bulk items and funds for membership, shopping at Costco (or another bulk retailer) can significantly reduce your costs.
What's the best way to make a grocery budget?
An easy and convenient way to make a grocery budget is to use budgeting software. Spendee and YNAB are two top options for budgeting software in Canada, and both help make budgeting much simpler and more enjoyable.
What are the most expensive grocery stores in Canada?
Sobeys, Longo’s, and Whole Foods generally rank as the most expensive grocery stores across Canada. Your province/region matters too, with B.C., Saskatchewan, and Alberta having some of the highest prices, no matter the store.
What day is cheapest to buy groceries?
Sources claim that Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest days. New promotions often begin on these days, restocking occurs, and there are fewer shoppers in store. This tends to result in markdowns on various items. Watch for seniors discounts, too.
Where’s the cheapest place to grocery shop?
The cheapest place to grocery shop in Canada is No Frills, as it has the lowest per-item average among the major grocery chains. Specific items may be cheaper elsewhere, though, like meats and dairy products, which are often cheaper at Loblaws.
What is Costco cheap for?
Costco is cheaper than Walmart for products like produce, eggs, organic items, and bulk kitchen staples such as cereals, flour, and olive oil. It’s not usually cheaper for things like toilet paper, meats, and off-brand products.
Leave a comment
Comments
Hello Carrie,
The prices were from the Sobeys in New Brunswick – I was quite shocked at the butter as well!
Costco is usually good for most things, but you definitely have to be aware of what you're buying no matter where you shop. That's where price matching comes in handy! You're much more aware of what's a good price or not.
Thanks for your comment :)
Hello Jean,
Prices are definitely high. We just need to adapt, budget, and keep finding as many ways to save as possible!
Hi Colin,
Thank you for your wonderful comment! It was fascinating reading all your different methods for saving money on groceries. You've obviously put a lot of thought into your decisions and I appreciate you sharing that with us today.
Happy saving!
If they are the same as the next lowest competitor then that wouldn't qualify because they are still tied for the lowest price.
Yes it is tough up here for sure and you have to pick your battles and decide what is worth your time. It's too bad that they are tightening it up to such an extreme.
I avoided the Costco Executive Membership for many years because I didn't want to worry about having to spend a certain amount to justify the extra cost. I feel the regular Gold Star membership usually justifies itself. I did upgrade to executive this year because I had a few large furniture items I was purchasing from them as I moved into a new house. I will probably downgrade within a year.
You're right that some of the smaller less attractive stores can have better prices. Unfortunately where I live we mostly only have big box stores or farmer's markets to deal with. Farmer's markets are often more expensive than the big box stores (especially if you consider sales, coupons, etc) but I still shop the markets as much as possible for the food quality and to support local.