Canadians name grocery stores they avoid due to prices, product selection

Canadians have named Walmart, Loblaws and Sobeys as the top grocery stores they avoid shopping at, according to a survey of nearly 300 comments.

Narcity asked Canadians on Facebook which grocery stores they avoid, and the responses pointed to high prices and product selection as key reasons.

"I used to love them, but lately their prices are always significantly higher than any other grocery store," one Canadian commented about Sobeys.

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Another shopper told Narcity they have avoided Walmart for two years, while someone else said they don't shop there because it is American-owned.

After those top three retailers, Save-On-Foods ranked fourth and Metro was fifth in the informal ranking.

Costco, No Frills and Safeway were tied for sixth, and Food Basics was seventh.

One person said they avoid Costco because the bill always totals $400, while another commented they avoid No Frills because it needs a "good bakery and butcher."

FreshCo was eighth, and Real Canadian Superstore, Co-op, IGA, Foodland and Zehrs were tied for ninth.

Your Independent Grocer, Oceans, Longo's, Maxi, Farm Boy, Giant Tiger, Whole Foods and Thrifty Foods each received a few mentions in the comment section.

More than 20 retailers were named by shoppers across the country.

Many shoppers told Narcity they avoid all American-owned retailers and the grocery stores with the highest prices.

Some people said they do not avoid any specific stores because they must shop at multiple retailers to find the best prices.

"With the prices now, I essentially shop at any store that has flyer items I can afford," one person said.

Another commented that they go where the "best deals" are.

"Where they're cheap on one item, they're expensive on another," a shopper noted.

Many respondents said all of Canada's grocery stores are pricey.

"I like them all, but unfortunately can't afford some," one person said.

Many discount retailers that might be expected to be go-tos actually made the list of places where Canadians don't shop.

With files from Narcity