Dutch supermarkets: The ultimate guide to grocery shopping in the Netherlands

One of the first things you’re likely to do when you arrive in the Netherlands is visit a supermarket for essential items. Whether it’s for a loaf of bread or a tube of toothpaste, you can get it all at Dutch grocery stores. But which supermarket chains are best to shop at to save money, and which are the most convenient? Look no further than this guide to the most common supermarkets in the Netherlands and what you need to know before visiting one.

A guide to Dutch supermarkets

From the cheapest Dutch supermarkets where you can get the best deals, to the most expensive grocery stores where you can find more luxury products, here’s a list of the most common supermarkets in the Netherlands.

Cheapest supermarkets in the Netherlands

If you’re like a typical Dutchie who loves a discount (korting) and you want to keep the costs low while you do your grocery shopping, then these are the supermarkets for you.

Nettorama

With fewer than 50 locations across the country, Nettorama is by no means the most common grocery store, but it is considered the cheapest supermarket in the Netherlands. Apart from guaranteeing the lowest prices, the supermarket chain also offers extra discounts when you buy multiples of a product, giving you the best savings possible. 

Dirk

Ranked as one of the cheapest Dutch supermarkets by the Dutch Consumers’ Association (Consumentenbond) in 2023, Dirk is a spot where you’ll find some of the best discounts for groceries. The supermarket chain originally started out as a small milk trader in 1939 and has now grown to have over 125 stores offering a wide array of products, from food to toiletries - at super affordable prices. 

Hoogvliet

Quality products at a reasonable price are guaranteed at Hoogvliet. The grocery store chain has over 70 locations, mainly in the Randstad area of the Netherlands. Focused on sustainability, animal welfare and providing healthy choices, Hoogvliet aims to work with families to make a better world.

Vomar

Vomar guarantees customer savings of hundreds of euros per year when they shop at one of its stores, which are located mainly in Noord-Holland. Offering loads of deals and fresh products, this supermarket is one of the cheaper grocery stores to shop at that still provides quality.

Dekamarkt

With 105 stores in the provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Gelderland, Overijssel, Utrecht and Flevoland, Dekamart is another supermarket that allows shoppers to get the best bang for their buck. The supermarket chain also includes its own butcher shop and flower centre.

Lidl

Lidl is a German supermarket chain that is found in many countries across the world and is known for offering cheap deals. Another reason the store is popular in the Netherlands - with hundreds of locations across the country - is the good quality and affordability of the fruits and vegetables available.

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Aldi

One of the largest European supermarket chains, and also hailing from Germany, Aldi has nearly 500 stores in the Netherlands and boasts an extensive range of low-cost products. From fresh bread to supplies for your pet, you can get everything you need for very reasonable prices.

Mid-range Dutch grocery stores

Here are some of the most popular and largest supermarket chains in the Netherlands, where you can find almost anything you need at average prices.

Albert Heijn

As the most popular and biggest supermarket in the Netherlands, you are bound to find an Albert Heijn wherever you go. The focus of the supermarket chain is on quality products and with that comes a higher price tag. However, the AH Bonus card provides shoppers with discounts to balance it out. 

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Jumbo

Slightly easier on your wallet than Albert Heijn, but still in the average price range, Jumbo is the main competition for the largest supermarket chain in the country. Found in most Dutch neighbourhoods, each store has a large assortment of products on offer, making grocery shopping convenient.

Plus

Plus is a cooperative supermarket chain with over 400 stores across the Netherlands. This Dutch supermarket is another one in the mid-price range that offers quality products. Grocery shopping is also made convenient with great online services.

More expensive supermarket chains in the Netherlands

These Dutch supermarkets have products that are more expensive than the average grocery store.

Spar

Founded in the Netherlands in the 1930s and nowadays one of the largest food retailers in the world, Spar can be found almost anywhere in the country. You might also find a Spar convenience store at your university campus, train station and petrol station, but be ready to pay extra for your groceries, as it has also been ranked as one of the most expensive Dutch supermarkets by the Dutch Consumers’ Association. 

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Coop

Another cooperative supermarket chain, Coop has slightly higher prices than average but offers some good discounts. In 2021, Coop and Plus merged with plans to have Coop supermarkets converted to Plus stores in the coming years.

EkoPlaza

Ranked as the healthiest supermarket in the Netherlands, EkoPlaza has the largest assortment of healthy products in the country. With nutritious and organic options comes a hefty price tag so be prepared to spend a little extra for ingredients from this health food shop. 

Independent grocery stores in the Netherlands

There is also a large variety of independent grocery stores in the Netherlands that are often more cost-effective than the big supermarket chains. Many Turkish and Asian supermarkets also offer foods that aren’t readily available in the usual Dutch supermarkets, so keep a lookout for any independent grocers in your neighbourhood if you like cooking with unique ingredients. 

Shopping for groceries online in the Netherlands

Whether you’re looking to save time, are feeling lazy or unable to make it to the store, there are several food delivery apps in the Netherlands that also deliver groceries, such as Flink and Uber Eats.

Many Dutch supermarkets also have their own apps for mobile phones that allow you to order products and collect them, or even have them delivered - make sure to check your supermarket’s website to find out if they offer this service.

What to know before shopping at a Dutch supermarket

Here are some useful tips and tricks to make your shopping experience at a supermarket in the Netherlands a smooth one:

How late are supermarkets open in the Netherlands?

The opening times of supermarkets in the Netherlands depend on the store and the time of year. On weekdays and Saturdays, grocery stores are allowed to be open from 6am until 10pm, with exceptions on public holidays, when they’ll close earlier in the evening. Most supermarkets are also open on Sundays, but they will likely shut their doors earlier than the rest of the week.

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Bring your reusable shopping bags

To avoid having to pay for a plastic bag, you’ll want to bring your own reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping in the Netherlands. Fret not if you don’t have your own yet, as most stores also sell reusable bags that are sturdier, larger and better for the environment than standard plastic ones. 

Packing your own groceries

Unlike cashiers in some other countries around the world, employees at Dutch supermarkets scan quickly and do not help you pack your shopping - it is up to you to juggle the time needed for packing and paying. This means that you will have to learn to pack your items into your reusable shopping bags quickly and efficiently to avoid a disapproving stare from the next person in line. 

Alternatively, some supermarkets also have self-checkout points where you can scan and pack your own groceries. 

Membership cards for extra savings

If you’re looking to save an extra buck when shopping at a Dutch supermarket, a good option would be to sign up for a discount card. Most supermarkets have a membership card, with some offering special product discounts to cardholders. 

Paying with credit cards might not be possible

Most supermarkets in the Netherlands do not accept foreign bank cards or credit cards. Whether it’s because the Dutch are so debt-averse or the store is trying to avoid the extra costs that accompany credit card transactions, all you have to know is that you should be prepared to pay with either a debit card or cash. 

Recycle your plastic bottles to get deposit money (statiegeld)

From large plastic water bottles to beer cans, you can recycle your drink containers in the Netherlands and get money back in return. When you purchase a bottled or canned drink anywhere in the Netherlands, a little extra is added to the cost.

You can get this statiegeld (recycling deposit money) back at most supermarkets from the deposit machines located in store. You can either get a receipt to spend the statiegeld in-store, or there is also an increasingly popular option to have it paid out directly into your bank account via Tikkie.

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Navigate the aisles of Dutch supermarkets like a pro

Now you know about the different supermarkets in the Netherlands and are all set for your next grocery shop. Do you have any extra tips and tricks for Dutch grocery stores? Let us know in the comments!

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