We compared a basket of 11 items at Costco, Loblaws, Sobeys & Walmart and prices vary so much
When you're doing a big shop, prices at grocery stores in Canada can add up quickly.
But how much does a basket of just a few food essentials cost at some national chains?
Well, we decided to compare the cost of 11 essentials at Costco, Loblaws, Sobeys and Walmart to find the cheapest total and the cheapest products.
This comes as Canadians told Narcity that they don't buy certain products when grocery shopping anymore because of the high prices.
A lot of staples like meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, and bread aren't on their grocery lists now.
So, here's a price breakdown of a few staple grocery products at Costco, Loblaws, Sobeys and Walmart, along with a comparison of the total basket prices.
Bread
Costco: $6.99 for three 675-gram loaves of Dempster's bread — $0.34 per 100 grams
Loblaws: $4.29 for a 675-gram loaf of Dempster's bread — $0.63 per 100 grams
Sobeys: $3.69 for a 675-gram loaf of Dempster's bread — $0.54 per 100 grams
Walmart: $5 for two 675-gram loaves of Dempster's bread— $0.37 per 100 grams
Cheese
Costco: $14.99 for a 1.15-kilogram block of Kirkland Signature cheese — $1.30 per 100 grams
Loblaws: $9.99 for a 700-gram block of No Name cheese — $1.42 per 100 grams
Sobeys: $6.99 for a 400-gram block of Compliments cheese — $1.74 per 100 grams
Walmart: $4.98 for a 400-gram block of Great Value cheese — $1.24 per 100 grams
Sliced meat
Costco: $18.99 for three 300-gram packs of Maple Leaf Natural Selections sliced oven-roasted chicken breast — $2.11 per 100 grams
Loblaws: $15.99 for a 375-gram pack of Maple Leaf Natural Selections sliced oven-roasted chicken breast — $4.26 per 100 grams
Sobeys: $5.99 for a 175-gram pack of Maple Leaf Natural Selections sliced meats — $3.42 per 100 grams
Walmart: $5.98 for a 175-gram pack of Maple Leaf sliced deli meat — $3.41 per 100 grams
Potatoes
Costco: $8.99 for a 4.54-kilogram bag of yellow potatoes — $0.19 per 100 grams
Loblaws: $7 for a 4.54-kilogram bag of yellow potatoes — $0.15 per 100 grams
Sobeys: $9.99 for a 4.54-kilogram bag of yellow potatoes — $0.22 per 100 grams
Walmart: $4.97 for a 2.27-kilogram bag of yellow potatoes — $0.21 per 100 grams
Bell peppers
Costco: $8.49 for six bell peppers — $1.41 per pepper
Loblaws: $5 for three bell peppers — $1.66 per pepper
Sobeys: $6.99 for three bell peppers — $2.33 per pepper
Walmart: $3.44 for three bell peppers — $1.14 per pepper
Frozen berries
Costco: $16.99 for a two-kilogram bag of Kirkland Signature frozen berries — $0.84 per 100 grams
Loblaws: $19.49 for a two-kilogram bag of President's Choice frozen berries — $0.97 per 100 grams
Sobeys: $14.99 for a 1.5-kilogram bag of Compliments frozen berry blend — $0.99 per 100 grams
Walmart: $4.66 for a 600-gram bag of Great Value frozen berries — $0.77 per 100 grams
Olive oil
Costco: $21.99 for a two-litre bottle of Kirkland Signature olive oil — $1.09 per 100 millilitres
Loblaws: $13 for a 750-millilitre bottle of No Name olive oil — $1.73 per 100 millilitres
Sobeys: $30.49 for a two-litre bottle of Compliments olive oil — $1.52 per 100 millilitres
Walmart: $10.97 for a one-litre bottle of Great Value olive oil — $1.09 per 100 millilitres
Dried pasta
Costco: $11.99 for nine 500-gram boxes of Antonio Amato pasta — $0.26 per 100 grams
Loblaws: $1.99 for a 410-gram box of Barilla dried pasta — $0.48 per 100 grams
Sobeys: $3.49 for a 500-gram bag of Garofalo dried pasta — $0.69 per 100 grams
Walmart: $2.44 for a 410-gram box of Barilla pasta — $0.59 per 100 grams
Cereal
Costco: $9.99 for a 1.51-kilogram box of Honey Nut Cheerios — $0.66 per 100 grams
Loblaws: $6 for a 725-gram box of Honey Nut Cheerios — $0.82 per 100 grams
Sobeys: $7.29 for a 725-gram box of Honey Nut Cheerios — $1 per 100 grams
Walmart: $6.97 for a 725-gram box of Honey Nut Cheerios — $0.96 per 100 grams
Ground coffee
Costco: $34.99 for a 1.36-kilogram canister of McCafe ground coffee — $2.57 per 100 grams
Loblaws: $28.99 for an 875-gram canister of McCafe ground coffee — $3.31 per 100 grams
Sobeys: $34.99 for an 875-gram canister of McCafe ground coffee — $3.99 per 100 grams
Walmart: $29.97 for a 950-gram canister of McCafe ground coffee — $3.15 per 100 grams
Sparkling water
Costco: $11.49 for a case of Bubly with 24 cans that are 355 millilitres each — $0.13 per 100 millilitres
Loblaws: $7.99 for a case of Bubly with 12 cans that are 355 millilitres each — $0.18 per 100 millilitres
Sobeys: $2.69 for a 473-millilitre can of Bubly sparkling water — $0.56 per 100 millilitres
Walmart: $6.78 for a case of Bubly with 12 cans that are 355 millilitres each — $0.15 per 100 millilitres
TOTAL
When the prices for all of these products are added up, here's what it costs you at each store before taxes:
- Costco: $165.89
- Loblaws: $119.73
- Sobeys: $127.59
- Walmart: $86.16
Walmart is the only store with a total cost for these 11 products under $100.
Costco has the most expensive total, followed by Sobeys and then Loblaws.
The total at Costco is $79.73 more than the total at Walmart.
Also, six products are cheaper at Walmart, three are cheaper at Loblaws, and two are cheaper at Sobeys.
But since some stores have bulk-sized products with bigger price tags, here's the total "price per" cost:
- Costco: $10.90
- Loblaws: $15.61
- Sobeys: $17
- Walmart: $13.08
Costco actually has the cheapest "price per" total, even though it has the most expensive basket total, because the products are bigger.
The "price per" total is $6.02 cheaper at Costco than it is at Sobeys, the store with the most expensive "price per" total.
So, it seems like if you want the cheapest total, Walmart is the store for you.
But if you want the most bang for your buck, you get that with your Costco membership!
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
