How to Save at the Grocery Store?
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How to Save Money 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.
Plan your shopping before you go
The first savings happen before you even step into the store. A few minutes spent planning the week often pay off more than any rewards card.
Build your list around a weekly menu and stick to it: you buy what you will actually cook, nothing more. Before you leave, a quick look in the fridge and pantry helps you avoid buying what you already have. And the classic: never shop on an empty stomach—hunger makes your cart grow with snack foods.
The habit that changes everything: build your menu around flyer specials, not the other way around. You pay the best price of the week for your proteins and vegetables, and you stock up on non-perishables when they are on sale.
Once you are home, consider batch cooking. Making larger portions and freezing the extra costs less per meal than buying prepared foods, and it helps you avoid last-minute takeout on busy nights.
Flyers and discount apps
Discounts change every week, and a few free apps do the scouting for you.
- Flipp and Reebee: bring together flyers from all banners, so you can compare the price of the same product from one store to another before heading out.
- Flashfood and FoodHero: sell off unsold items and short-dated products for 25% to 70% less, usually coded as “grocery” by most cards.
- Too Good to Go: surprise baskets of unsold items at a reduced price from local merchants.
- Checkout 51: cashback earned by scanning your receipt after purchase.
- Banner apps: activate your personalized PC Optimum, Metro, or IGA offers just before you shop.
The real win comes when you stack all three: a special spotted in Flipp, an offer activated in the app, and everything paid with a card that earns extra on groceries.
It is also worth comparing the stores themselves. Depending on the neighbourhood, the same basket can cost noticeably less from one banner to another. To help you find your way, see which grocery store is the cheapest in Quebec and our comparison Dollarama vs. Walmart.
Choose the right products
At comparable quality, some choices lower the bill effortlessly. Start with private labels: No Name, President’s Choice, Compliments, or Irresistibles often cost 20% to 30% less than national brands for an almost identical product.
Also look at the unit price per 100 g or per litre, shown in small print on the label rather than the total price: the larger size is not always the best deal. Choose seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are cheaper and fresher, and save your coupons for times when they can be combined with an already good special.
A few smart substitutions make a real difference over the year: buying proteins on sale and freezing them, cooking legumes more often (dried rather than canned), or buying certain foods in bulk lowers the cost per serving without sacrificing quality.
Reduce food waste
Every item you throw out is money in the trash. Storing food better and cooking leftovers directly lowers the bill.
- Read dates carefully: “best before” is about quality, not safety. Many products are still good for several days afterward.
- Freeze extras: bread, meats bought on sale, meal leftovers, and overripe fruit freeze very well.
- Cook leftovers: set aside one “clean-out-the-fridge” meal per week to use up what is lingering.
- Store items in the right place: proper storage extends the life of food.
A simple tip: put what needs to be eaten first at the front of the fridge. Most waste comes from what gets forgotten at the back.
Maximizing Credit Card Rewards
The Best Credit Cards for Groceries
Choosing the right credit card for groceries can save you hundreds of dollars annually 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 statement credits, transfers to other rewards programs, etc. (such as American Express Membership Rewards points)
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $120 |
Leveraging grocery loyalty programs
Choosing the right program can make a significant difference to your annual savings.
Our detailed comparison of grocery rewards programs analyzes reward rates, promotional offers, and the ease of earning and redeeming points. You’ll also see each program’s partners to help you identify the one that best matches your shopping habits and maximize your returns.
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, we explain the best combinations of rewards programs and credit cards. Kill two birds with one stone 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.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$40Total$40Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $40
- Welcome offerAfter $500 in 3 months
- Up to 5,000 points
Apply Now
on RBC's website
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 | |||
| $0 |
Finding the Best Grocery Deals and Discount Stores
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:
Saving at Costco and Strategies for Bulk Shopping
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 an annual 2% rebate on your purchases. Since Costco only accepts Mastercard, pay with a Mastercard that earns bonus points on your purchases to stack rewards.
Exclusive
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$771Annual fee rebated$150Total$921Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $921
- Welcome offerAfter $20,000 in 12 months
- Up to 115,000 points
Apply Now
on BMO's website
Saving at the Grocery Store – Bottom Line
By using the right credit cards, maximizing rewards programs, and finding the best deals, you can significantly lower your grocery bill. And until July 31, 2026, the KOHO “10 Years of Groceries” contest gives you the chance to win $500 in groceries per month for 10 years.
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.
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite +* Card also deserves a look for grocery spending, with 4% cash back and a current welcome offer of 15% cash back.
Consult our other guides to reduce your grocery expenses and maximize your rewards:
Exclusive
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $150
- Welcome offer$150 annual fee rebated
- First Year Annual Fee Rebate
- Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now
on National Bank's website
Grocery – Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best credit card for groceries in Canada?
The American Express® Cobalt Card is often considered the best card for groceries, offering 5 points per dollar spent. So, if you pay $100 for your groceries with this card, you’ll earn 500 points (worth $5).
Another interesting option is the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, a card that offers travel benefits.
What are the best apps for saving money at the grocery store?
The most effective applications for saving money are:
- FoodHero, Too Good to Go and FlashFood: For unsold food at substantial discounts;
- Checkout 51: Earn cash back by scanning your receipt when you purchase specific products;
- PC Optimum, Metro and IGA: To activate their loyalty program offers and earn more points.
How can you reduce your grocery bill quickly?
Build your list around the week’s specials, shop on a full stomach, choose private labels, and pay with a card that earns extra on groceries. Combined, these steps reduce your bill starting in the first week.
Are private-label brands worth it?
Yes. At often comparable quality, store brands like No Name, President’s Choice, or Compliments generally cost 20% to 30% less than national brands.
How can you avoid food waste?
Plan your meals, freeze extras, and cook leftovers. Remember that the “best before” date is about quality, not safety: many foods are still good after that date.
Which app should you use to compare flyers?
Flipp and Reebee bring together flyers from all banners and let you compare the price of the same product from one store to another.
Is it better to shop at multiple grocery stores?
Doing most of your grocery shopping at a low-price store like Maxi, Super C, or No Frills, then topping up elsewhere for specific items, can save money—provided the extra trips are worth the cost.
To Go Further with American Express Membership Rewards Points
To maximize your Membership Rewards points accumulation, consult our complete guide to the American Express Membership Rewards program as well as our ranking of the best American Express Membership Rewards credit cards, updated monthly by the Milesopedia team.
