The main chains
The largest chain, wide range, weekly Bonus deals with a free bonus card.
Big stores and a broad range, competitive on price.
Discounters with a smaller range and low prices.
Regional and mid-priced chains, often with strong weekly offers.
Organic and specialty products.
Most chains deliver, plus online-only supermarkets.
Deposits (statiegeld) and bags
Return them at machines in supermarkets, stations and petrol stations. Plastic bags are not free, so bring your own.
Saving tips
- 1Check the weekly folders
Deals change every Monday; use the apps.
- 2Mix discounter and big chain
Basics at a discounter, specific items at a large chain.
- 3Shop the market
Weekly markets are good for fruit, vegetables, cheese and fish.
- 4Look at the unit price
Price per kilo or litre is on the shelf label.
Food is about EU average price; housing is the big cost. See cost of living.
Sources
This article is based on these official pages. If anything here differs from them, the official page is right.
- Statiegeld Nederland (in Dutch)
Ready to run your own numbers?
Monthly budget calculator