Which grocery store is the cheapest in Quebec? Comparison (2026)
Which grocery store costs the least in Quebec in 2026? According to the Les Coops de l’information study, Maxi dethrones Walmart as the province’s cheapest grocery store. The cost of a grocery basket continues to rise: Dalhousie University’s 2026 Food Price Report forecasts an increase of 4% to 6% for a family of four, or about $17,572 per year.
Beyond the sticker price, loyalty programs and the best credit cards can reduce the bill by 5% to 7% each week. Here is our complete comparison of the five major chains, with up-to-date figures and the best credit card for each store.
Note: the welcome offers that make these cards so rewarding often last only a few days. Check the credit card offers ending this month before they’re gone.
Also, check out our best credit cards for groceries page to get up to 6% back, whether in cash back or loyalty points.
Ranking of the cheapest grocery stores
The Les Coops de l’information study compared the price of 30 common products across five major Quebec chains over 26 weeks (about 6 months). As of March 2026, here are the annualized cost and the average weekly cost by chain.
| Rank | Grocery | Annual cost (30 products) | Average weekly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Maxi | $3,756 | $144.46 |
| 2nd | Walmart | $3,808 | $146.46 |
| 3rd | Super C | $3,899 | $149.96 |
| 4th | IGA | $4,355 | $167.50 |
| 5th | Metro | $4,479 | $172.27 |
The gap between Maxi (1st) and Metro (5th) amounts to $723 per year, or approximately $27.81 per week. Over two years, that’s almost $1,450 in savings by choosing the right store.
Context: food inflation in 2026
According to Dalhousie University’s 2026 Food Price Report, a Canadian family of four will spend an average of $17,572 on groceries this year. Le Journal de Montreal reports targeted increases: beef jumped 13.9%, bananas 8.1%, and the overall food sector shows a 4.1% increase in March 2026.
In this context, every dollar saved matters. Combining the right grocery store with the right credit card becomes a practical strategy to limit the damage to the family budget.
Cheaper with rewards points
The sticker price is only part of the equation. Loyalty programs and grocery-optimized credit cards make it possible to get back between 5% and 7% of the bill. Here is the analysis by chain, based on the weekly baskets from the Les Coops 2026 study.
Maxi (PC Optimum program)
Maxi is linked to the PC Optimum program. Earning points mainly comes from personalized offers and bonus promo items. With a weekly basket of $144.46, here is what the best credit cards return.
Maxi only accepts Visa and Mastercard cards. American Express cards are not accepted.
| Card | Earning rate | Weekly value |
|---|---|---|
| BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | 5 % Cash Back | $7.22 |
| NBC World Elite Mastercard | 5 points/$1 | $6.50 |
| CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card | 4% | $5.78 |
| World Elite Mastercard PC | 3% Cash Back | $4.33 |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | 2% Cash Back | $2.89 |
With the BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*, the $144.46 basket drops to $137.24. The $500 per statement limit at 5% remains the main limitation.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
Walmart
Walmart does not have a traditional points-based loyalty program. Reward dollars are reserved for Walmart cardholders. You must therefore rely on the cash back offered by your credit card. Weekly basket: $146.46.
| Card | Earning rate | Weekly value |
|---|---|---|
| BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | 5 % Cash Back | $7.32 |
| NBC World Elite Mastercard | 5 points/$1 | $6.59 |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | 2% Cash Back | $2.93 |
| Walmart World Mastercard | 1.25% in-store / 3% online | $1.83 (in-store) |
With the BMO CashBack World Elite, the basket drops to $139.14 net. Also, at some Walmart locations, the American Express Cobalt® Card codes the purchase as groceries (5 points per dollar).
Advanced tip: gift cards
Buy Walmart gift cards at Couche-Tard with the American Express Cobalt Card. Couche-Tard is coded as groceries, which earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar. These points can then be used to offset the card balance or transferred to Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors or ALL Accor.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $191.88 | |||
| $0 |
Super C (Moi program)
Super C is associated with the Moi program. Base earning is 1 Moi point per dollar (value: 0.8 cent). Bonus points on certain products and personalized offers increase the return. Weekly basket: $149.96.
In addition to Moi points, the co-branded moi RBC Visa Credit Card gives 1 additional Moi point per dollar at Super C (150 points = $1.20).
| Card | Earning rate | Weekly value |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt Card | 5 points/$1 | 7,50 $ |
| BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | 5 % Cash Back | 7,50 $ |
| Scotia Gold Amex Card | 5 Scene+ points/$1 | 7,50 $ |
| Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite +* Card | 4% | $ 6.00 |
| moi RBC Visa Credit Card | 1 Moi pt/$1 + bonus points | ~$1.20 (base) |
With the Cobalt Card or the BMO CashBack World Elite, the basket drops to $142.46 net.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $120 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
IGA (Scene + program)
IGA has been associated with the Scene+ program since March 2023. Bonus points on certain products and weekly coupons (e.g., 500 points for $100 in purchases) add an attractive return. In 2026, IGA is also launching the Prix Club program (Sobeys), with reduced prices reserved for members. Weekly basket: $167.50.
| Card | Earning rate | Weekly value |
|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | 6 Scene+ points/$1 | $10.05 |
| American Express Cobalt Card | 5 points/$1 | $8.38 |
| CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card | 4% | $6.70 |
| Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite +* Card | 4% | $6.70 |
With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card (6 Scene+ points per dollar), the card rebate reaches $10.05. Add the Scene+ bonus points on promotional products and the basket can drop to $157.45 net, or even less depending on the week’s offers.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $191.88 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
Metro (Moi program)
Metro is linked to the Moi program. Every dollar spent earns 1 Moi point (value: 0.8 cent). Personalized offers, bonuses on certain products and member-only promotions add to the return. Weekly basket: $172.27.
| Card | Earning rate | Weekly value |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt Card | 5 points/$1 | $8.61 |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | 5 Scene+ points/$1 | $8.61 |
| BMO CashBack World Elite | 5 % Cash Back | $8.61 |
| moi RBC Visa Credit Card | 1 extra Moi pt/$1 | $1.38 (stackable) |
With the Cobalt Card ($8.61) and the moi RBC Visa Credit Card as a secondary card ($1.38 in Moi points), the net total drops to about $162.28.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 | |||
| $120 | |||
| $0 |
Summary: gross vs net bill
Here is the final ranking, factoring in the best credit card for each chain.
| Rank | Grocery | Weekly basket (gross) | Best card | Weekly basket (net) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Maxi | $144.46 | BMO CashBack WE (5%) | $137.24 |
| 2nd | Walmart | $146.46 | BMO CashBack WE (5%) | $139.14 |
| 3rd | Super C | $149.96 | Cobalt / BMO (5%) | $142.46 |
| 4th | IGA | $167.50 | Scotia Gold Amex (6 Scene+ pts) | ~$157.45 |
| 5th | Metro | $172.27 | Cobalt (5%) + moi RBC | ~$162.28 |
The gap between Maxi (1st net) and Metro (5th net) reaches about $25 per week, or about $1,302 per year. That is the equivalent of nine weeks of groceries at Maxi.
Conclusion
In 2026, Maxi is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec according to the Les Coops study, ahead of Walmart and Super C. The gap between the top three positions remains tight: a few dollars per week. A good weekly special can flip the ranking from one week to the next.
The real savings lever remains the credit card. With a BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* (5% cash back on groceries), a Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card (6 points at IGA/Sobeys or 5 points per dollar at other grocery stores) or an American Express Cobalt Card (5 points per dollar), each checkout earns between $7 and $10. Over a year, that is $370 to $460 in rewards, in addition to the savings from choosing the right store.
Always pay your credit card balance in full each month. Interest charges would cancel out all these gains. Check out our best credit cards page to find the one that suits your habits. And to stay informed, subscribe to our newsletter.
There are also discount and liquidation grocery stores that offer even lower prices on certain products. Do not hesitate to combine them with your main grocery store.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $191.88 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $120 |
Cheapest grocery store Quebec – Frequently asked questions
Which grocery store is the cheapest in Quebec in 2026?
According to the Les Coops de l’information study (Université de Sherbrooke), Maxi is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec in 2026, with an annual cost of $3,756 for 30 common products, ahead of Walmart ($3,808) and Super C ($3,899).
Which supermarket is the cheapest between Maxi, Walmart and Super C?
Maxi comes out on top, followed by Walmart and Super C. The gap between the three is tight: $2 to $6 per week. Weekly specials can reverse the ranking from one week to the next.
What’s the best credit card for groceries in Canada?
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers 6 points per dollar at Sobeys Group grocery stores (including IGA) and 5 points per dollar at all other grocery stores that accept Amex. The BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* offers 5% cash back on groceries (cap of $500/month). The American Express Cobalt Card gives 5 points per dollar at grocery stores that accept Amex. Consult our page on the best cards for groceries.
How much do groceries cost per year in Canada in 2026?
Dalhousie University’s 2026 Food Price Report estimates that a Canadian family of four will spend an average of $17,572 on groceries this year, up 4% to 6% compared to 2025.
Is Dollarama cheaper than Walmart for groceries?
For many dry and basic products, Dollarama offers prices lower than Walmart. Check out our Dollarama vs Walmart comparison for product-by-product details.
How can you find grocery specials in Quebec?
The Flipp app brings together all Quebec grocery flyers in one place. You can compare that week’s specials before making your grocery list.
What is IGA’s Prix Club program?
Prix Club is a program offering reduced prices exclusive to Scene+ members at IGA, rolled out in Quebec in 2026. Simply scan your Scene+ card at checkout to benefit from discounts on dozens of products each week, in addition to the usual bonus points.
Does Super C match prices?
No, Super C does not match competitors’ prices. However, if a product in the flyer is out of stock, Super C offers a rain check with a 10% discount. And if a fresh product does not satisfy you, you receive a 100% refund as well as a 10% coupon.
Which Credit Card to Maximize Your Savings?
For recurring expenses (groceries, online shopping, restaurants), a cash back card makes a real difference. Use our credit card comparator to filter through 200+ Canadian offers, or take a look at our top cash back cards, updated monthly.
Which credit card maximizes your everyday savings?
For recurring spending such as groceries, online purchases or restaurants, a cash back credit card makes a real difference. Use our credit card comparator to filter through 200+ Canadian offers, or browse the best credit cards in Canada, updated monthly by the Milesopedia team. Our top pick for groceries: the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card, which earns 5x points on groceries, dining, gas and transit.
- Annual fee
- $0 $120No annual fee the first year
- Our valuation
- $589Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$469Annual fee rebated$120Total$589Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 70,000 points
No annual fee the first year
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$469Annual fee rebated$120Total$589Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
on BMO's website
Our featured card
- Annual fee
- $0
- Our valuation
- $20Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$20Total$20Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- 20,000 points
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$20Total$20Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
on PC Financial's website
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