How to Save at the Grocery Store?

Groceries are one of the biggest expenses in a family budget. With food inflation continuing to put pressure on our wallets, it’s more important than ever to use effective strategies to lower our grocery bill while maximizing available rewards and savings.

This comprehensive guide shows you all the proven ways to save money at the grocery store in Canada, from rewards programs to smart shopping techniques.

Choosing the right credit card for grocery shopping can save you hundreds of dollars each year on your purchases. Some cards offer up to 4% cash back (like the CIBC Dividend^® Visa Infinite* Card) or up to 6x the points (thanks to the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card).

Read our article on the best credit cards for grocery shopping and choose your card based on:

• Cash back : Up to 4% cash back depending on the card
• Travel points: Collect points to pay for your next vacation (e.g. Scene+ points and Aventura points).
• Flexible points: Redeemable for cash back, merchandise, travel reimbursements, transfers to other rewards programs, etc. (like American Express Membership Rewards).

Choosing the right program can make a significant difference to your annual savings.

Our guide on Grocery: Comparing rewards programs for a cheaper shopping cart analyzes reward rates, promotional offers, and how easy it is to earn and redeem points. You’ll also see each program’s partners to help you find the best fit for your shopping habits and maximize your rewards.

Every major grocery chain in Canada has its own rewards program with specific benefits:

• PC Optimum (Loblaws, Maxi, Provigo, No Frills)
• Scene+ (Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, Les marchés Tradition, Voilà by IGA)
• Moi (Metro, Super C)

In this article, I explain the best combinations of rewards programs and credit cards. Double your rewards by earning:

• Points from your grocery store loyalty program or online grocery store (such as Metro or Voilà by IGA)
• Even more points with the credit card you use at checkout.

Then, before heading to the grocery store, activate your offers on your mobile app or at the in-store kiosk to earn even more points with your favourite loyalty program.

Some specialty stores focus on selling discounted or clearance food items, offering substantial savings on your grocery purchases.

These stores are perfect for doing an initial grocery run before heading to traditional supermarkets to pick up the rest of your items. They are also known for:

• Short-dated products: Save 50% or even more
• Discontinued products at reduced prices
• Seasonal surplus: Items available after certain popular dates
• Store brands: Comparable quality at a lower price

Shipments are irregular and the products change every week. However, if you stay flexible, you can fill your grocery cart for much less.

The vast majority accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards, and many also accept American Express (such as Liquidation Marie and Supermarché SavePlus).

To find the best places to shop, check out our guides:

• Discount and liquidation grocery stores in Quebec
• Discount and Clearance Grocery Stores in Canada

Costco is a great way to reduce your grocery bill, especially for families or individuals who can share their purchases.

Costco warehouses offer lower prices thanks to a model based on membership fees rather than high margins.

Choose the Executive Membership card, which gives you an annual 2% cash back on your purchases. Plus, use AIR MILES to pay for your annual membership fee.

By using the right credit cards, maximizing rewards programs, and finding the best deals, you can significantly lower your grocery bill.

Choose your favourite grocery store or the one closest to you, start by implementing one or two strategies, then gradually add more to create your own personalized savings system.

Explore our other content to help you reduce your grocery expenses, and maximize the rewards you earn on them: