The Most Popular Grocery Store in Canada, Ranked

Choose the grocery store you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:39
Deciding which grocery store to shop at can be quite the task in Canada, given the range of options available to every consumer. Each store offers its unique blend of prices, product variety, and customer service. Ranking these stores based on popularity helps provide a clearer picture of where most shoppers are getting the most satisfaction from their grocery shopping experiences. By participating in the voting, you contribute to a broader consensus on which stores are meeting customer expectations and which are not. This ongoing input shapes an accurate, community-driven guide that helps newcomers and long-term residents alike make informed decisions about where to shop for their daily needs.

What Is the Most Popular Grocery Store in Canada?

  1. 1
    23
    votes
    With over 2,400 locations across Canada, Loblaws is the largest grocery store chain in the country. It offers a wide selection of products at competitive prices, and its President's Choice brand is a household name in Canada.
    Loblaws is one of the most popular grocery store chains in Canada. It offers a wide range of grocery products, household items, and pharmaceuticals. With its diverse selection and convenient locations, Loblaws aims to provide customers with a one-stop shopping experience.
    • Number of locations: Over 2000 stores across Canada
    • Banner stores: Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Zehrs, and others
    • Product offerings: Fresh produce, bakery items, dairy products, meat and seafood, pantry staples, household goods, health and beauty products
    • Pharmacy services: In-store pharmacies offering prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs
    • Online shopping: E-commerce platform for online grocery orders and home delivery
  2. 2
    36
    votes
    Sobeys is the second-largest grocery store chain in Canada, with over 1,500 locations across the country. It is known for its fresh produce and high-quality meat and seafood.
    Sobeys is a popular grocery store chain in Canada, known for its wide selection of products and excellent customer service. With a history dating back to 1907, Sobeys has become a household name and a trusted destination for shopping essentials. The stores offer a pleasant and clean shopping environment, with well-organized aisles and helpful staff members to assist customers in finding what they need. Whether it's fresh produce, meat, dairy, or pantry staples, Sobeys aims to provide customers with quality products at competitive prices.
    • Number of locations: Over 1,500
    • Store formats: Full-service grocery stores, discount stores, and small urban convenience stores
    • Private labels: Compliments, Sensations by Compliments, and Safeway Select
    • Online shopping: Available through the Sobeys website and mobile app
    • Loyalty program: Air Miles rewards program
  3. 3
    20
    votes
    Metro is a popular grocery store chain in Quebec and Ontario, with over 950 locations across the two provinces. It offers a wide selection of products at competitive prices, and its private-label products are known for their quality.
    Metro is a well-known supermarket chain in Canada, offering a wide range of groceries and household products. It provides a convenient and reliable shopping experience to millions of customers across the country.
    • Founded: 1947
    • Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
    • Number of Stores: Over 365
    • Store Formats: Metro, Super C, Food Basics
    • Product Range: Groceries, fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery items, deli products, dairy, frozen foods, household goods, and more
  4. 4
    18
    votes
    Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, and its Canadian stores are no exception. With over 400 locations across the country, Walmart offers a wide selection of grocery products at competitive prices.
    Walmart is one of the world's largest and most popular online retailers. It offers a wide range of products including groceries, electronics, clothing, home goods, and more. Customers can shop for items conveniently from the comfort of their homes and have them delivered to their doorstep.
    • Founded: 1962
    • Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas, United States
    • Website: https://www.walmart.com
    • Annual Revenue: USD 559.15 billion (2019)
    • Number of Employees: 2.2 million (2019)
  5. 5
    17
    votes
    Costco is a membership-based warehouse club that offers a wide selection of grocery products at discounted prices. Its bulk packaging is popular with families and businesses, and its Kirkland Signature brand is known for its quality.
    Costco is a membership-based warehouse grocery store chain that is known for its large selection of bulk items and discounted prices. It is a popular choice for many Californians due to its high-quality products and affordable offerings. With both brick-and-mortar stores and an online platform, Costco provides a convenient shopping experience for its members.
    • Membership-based: Requires an annual membership to shop at Costco.
    • Warehouse store: Operates as a large-format retail store with a focus on bulk items.
    • Affordable prices: Offers competitive pricing and discounts on a wide range of products.
    • Large selection: Stocks a diverse range of products, including groceries, electronics, household goods, and more.
    • Bulk items: Allows customers to buy in bulk, which is especially popular for families or businesses.
  6. 6
    10
    votes

    No Frills

    Ted Smith
    No Frills is a discount grocery store chain that offers a no-frills shopping experience. Its low prices and no-frills approach have made it popular with budget-conscious shoppers.
    No Frills is a popular grocery store in Canada known for its low-cost, no-frills approach to shopping. It offers a wide range of products at more affordable prices compared to other grocery stores. The primary aim of No Frills is to provide customers with quality groceries at budget-friendly rates.
    • Store Size: The average store size is around 25,000 square feet.
    • Product Selection: No Frills offers a variety of grocery products including fresh produce, meat, dairy, bakery items, household goods, and pantry staples.
    • No Frills Brand: They have their own line of private label products called 'No Name' that offers affordable alternatives to popular brands.
    • Discounted Prices: No Frills focuses on providing consistently low prices on everyday items without compromising quality.
    • Limited Services: The store operates on a self-serve model with minimal staff, leading to lower operating costs.
  7. 7
    11
    votes
    FreshCo is a discount grocery store chain that offers a wide selection of products at discounted prices. Its focus on value has made it popular with budget-conscious shoppers.
    FreshCo is a popular grocery store chain in Canada that offers a wide range of fresh food products at affordable prices. With a focus on providing value to its customers, FreshCo has gained popularity for its extensive selection of fresh produce, deli meats, dairy products, and pantry essentials. The store aims to provide a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for its customers, with spacious aisles, friendly staff, and a clean and organized store layout.
    • Store Count: Over 100 locations
    • Affordability: Competitive prices
    • Fresh Produce: Wide selection of fruits and vegetables
    • Deli Meats: Variety of fresh and cured meats
    • Dairy Products: Assortment of milk, cheese, and yogurt
  8. 8
    5
    votes

    Farm Boy

    Jean-Louis Bellemare
    Farm Boy is a Canadian grocery store chain that focuses on fresh, locally sourced products. Its stores offer a unique shopping experience, with a focus on quality and customer service.
    Farm Boy is a popular grocery store chain in Canada that focuses on providing fresh and locally sourced products. With a commitment to promoting healthy eating and supporting local farmers, Farm Boy offers a unique shopping experience for customers.
    • Headquarters: Ottawa, Ontario
    • Number of Stores: Over 30 locations
    • Product Range: Wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, bakery items, and organic products
    • Local Sourcing: Focus on sourcing products from local farmers and artisans
    • Freshness Guarantee: Commitment to providing fresh and high-quality products
  9. 9
    9
    votes
    Longo's is a Canadian grocery store chain that offers a wide selection of high-quality products, including fresh produce, meat, and seafood. Its focus on quality and customer service has made it popular with shoppers.
    Longo's is a popular grocery store chain in Canada known for its high-quality products and a wide variety of options. With a focus on fresh and locally sourced items, Longo's offers a unique shopping experience that caters to the diverse needs of its customers.
    • Year Established: 1956
    • Number of Locations: 36
    • Headquarters: Vaughan, Ontario
    • Store Format: Supermarket
    • Product Range: Groceries, fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, deli, cheese, prepared meals
  10. 10
    7
    votes

    IGA

    IGA is a grocery store chain that operates under various banners across Canada. Its focus on fresh, locally sourced products has made it popular with shoppers looking for high-quality products.
    IGA is a popular grocery store chain in Canada, known for its extensive selection of products and quality service. It offers a wide range of grocery items, including fresh produce, meat, dairy products, bakery items, and household essentials. With numerous locations across the country, IGA aims to provide convenient access to everyday groceries for Canadian consumers.
    • Founding Year: 1953
    • Number of Locations: Over 300
    • Store Formats: IGA, IGA Extra, IGA Express, IGA Mini
    • Ownership: Independent retail stores (franchise)
    • Product Range: Groceries, fresh produce, meat, dairy products, bakery items, household essentials

Missing your favorite grocery store?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular grocery store

  1. Number of locations
    The number of stores across Canada, including their geographic distribution and accessibility to customers, is a crucial factor in determining popularity.
  2. Customer satisfaction
    Positive customer experiences and high satisfaction rates, including quality of products, store cleanliness, and employee friendliness, contribute to a grocery store's popularity.
  3. Product variety and quality
    A popular grocery store should offer a diverse and high-quality selection of products, including fresh produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, and non-perishable items.
  4. Price competitiveness
    Competitive and affordable prices are essential for attracting and maintaining customers. This includes offering sales, discounts, and loyalty programs.
  5. Brand recognition and reputation
    A well-known brand with a strong reputation for quality, value, and social responsibility will rank higher in popularity.
  6. Sustainability and ethical practices
    Many customers prioritize grocery stores that focus on sustainable practices and ethical sourcing of products, which contributes to their popularity.
  7. Store layout and design
    A well-organized store layout with easy-to-navigate aisles and clear signage contributes to a positive shopping experience and increased popularity.
  8. Online presence and e-commerce
    A strong online presence and e-commerce platform, including home delivery and curbside pickup options, can increase a grocery store’s popularity, especially during the current digital era.
  9. Customer service
    Attentive and helpful customer service, including a well-staffed store with knowledgeable employees, contributes to the overall shopping experience and popularity.
  10. Specialized offerings
    Providing specialty items, dietary-specific products, and ethnic foods can attract a diverse customer base, increasing a store’s popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular grocery store in Canada. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Market is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 5672 views
  • 165 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Market once every 24 hours. The rank of each Market is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular grocery store in canada

Canada is known for its diverse food culture, and grocery stores play a crucial role in meeting the demands of the Canadian population. With numerous grocery store chains operating across the country, it can be challenging to determine which one is the most popular among Canadians. However, StrawPoll has conducted extensive research and analysis to identify the most popular grocery store in Canada. From the traditional markets to the modern supermarkets, we have taken into account various factors such as price, quality, customer service, and convenience to determine which one is the favorite among Canadians. So, let's dive into the findings and discover which grocery store reigns supreme in Canada.

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