Best Dutch Supermarkets: If you’re coming to the Netherlands and intend to stay for more than a few days, grocery shopping will be high on your to-do list.
So I sat down with my fellow Dutch people to discuss which 11 supermarket chains are the best in the Netherlands and why we believe they are the best.
There are 26 different supermarket chains with ±6100 stores in the Netherlands, so there will always be a supermarket nearby.
Table of Contents
Dutch supermarkets chain
You may find that you have one or two to choose from in your neighborhood. Sometimes they can be opposite of each other. Some of the major chains you’ll find in Dutch Quarter include:
Albert Heijn: The premium retailer is the largest Dutch chain with around 1,000 stores and a product range that focuses on quality.
Get AH Bonus Card for discounts. Larger, hypermarket-type stores — called AH XL — are found in suburban areas.
Jumbo: Albert Hein’s biggest competitor is a little easier on the wallet. Usually found in more residential areas, jumbo stores have a great selection of fresh and dry goods.
Plus: The third largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands is a cooperative with more than 200 stores. Widely found in the south of the country, especially in South Holland and North Brabant.
Coop: There are over 200 Coop stores in the Netherlands, mostly in residential areas. Hypermarket-style Supercop stores are also available.
Dirk: Formerly known as Dirk van den Broek, this well-stocked supermarket ranks among the cheapest Dutch supermarkets. Easily visible, the front of the store is decorated with bright red dark flags.
Grocery shopping in the Netherlands
The local supermarket is probably one of the first places you visit when you first visit the Netherlands. When you first walk out the door, you quickly realize that Dutch supermarkets may not be the same as back home. But that doesn’t stop you from going wild in the aisles.
Don’t like supermarket shopping? These include local fresh food markets, online food shopping, and specialty stores with delivery straight to your door.
If you’re not into cooking at all, you’ll find a variety of restaurants, cafes, and snack bars in Dutch towns and cities.
Supermarkets in the Netherlands
The first thing you’ll probably notice about Dutch supermarkets is their size, especially if you’re coming from North America or Australia.
\Dutch supermarkets in major cities tend to be compact, but you’ll soon be surprised at how much cram they can store on their shelves.
Because of this, you may not be able to find what you are looking for. However, the range of products in supermarkets varies, so what you can’t find in one, you may find in another, just around the corner.
In larger supermarkets in the more suburban or out-of-town areas, you’ll be able to find everything you need.
Supermarkets may seem more expensive than you’re used to, especially for products like fresh meat and produce.
However, stores are generally well-stocked with good quality fresh meat and produce dry groceries and impressive dairy sections. Most stores also have bakeries.
You’ll also find plenty of in-store offers and discounts that you can take advantage of to make your money go further.
What Are The Best Dutch Supermarkets in the Netherlands?
Albert Hein is the largest premium supermarket in the Netherlands, and its supermarkets come in many shapes and sizes.
For example, there are large XL Albert Hein hypermarkets with a wide range of products, but smaller convenience stores at train stations.
Albert Hein is a premium supermarket chain with high-quality products and high prices compared to other chains.
However, Albert Hein also has a wide range of private-label products. So make sure to get yourself an e-bonus card (on your phone) to avail of attractive discounts.
Lidl
Lidl is a supermarket that looks like an Aldi supermarket with limited products and very low prices. All will do everything to offer a low-cost, no-frills supermarket and very low prices.
For example, products remain in their boxes even when they are on the shelves It’s too efficient for me, but I understand that every penny counts for this discount supermarket.
One of the strengths of Leidl supermarkets is that they win awards for the best range and quality supermarket chain in fruit and vegetables almost every year.
They were ranked 2 in overall customer appreciation in a mid-2002 customer survey. Many Ledl supermarkets also have bakeries that can be made at a minimum cost. Countries that offer croissants and croissants.
Jumbo
Jumbo is another premium supermarket chain and a strong competitor to Albert Hein. I am Jumbo and Albert Heine Physical differences between Nakata Kari and supermarket chains are hard to find.
Jumbo may have a number two reputation for quality and price, but I find the difference to be minimal.
However, Jumbo claims to be cheaper than Albert Hein and other supermarkets and offers the lowest price guarantee.
Therefore, Jumbo is an excellent choice as a supermarket, and if you have a Jumbo supermarket, you are lucky.
Plus
The PLUS supermarket chain is the rising star among Dutch supermarket chains, and PLUS supermarkets scored the highest of all Dutch supermarkets in the mid-2022 customer survey.
Due to several acquisitions, PLUS has grown rapidly over the past 20 years but has maintained its high quality.
Recently, Plus announced its intention to merge with Coop Supermarket to become the third largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands.
The merger is likely to take place in 2022 and will significantly increase the number of PLUS supermarkets This is a good thing because Plus is one of the better Dutch supermarket chains.
Aldi
Aldi is a supermarket chain with a limited range of basic food and affordable household products. If you have to stay on a budget, then Aldi will be your supermarket of choice.
There is a market for them in the Netherlands as there are around 500 Dutch Aldi stores. Aldi is popular because it’s cheap. It’s good if you don’t expect a wide range of high-quality products.
Poiesz :
Poiesz is a small (regional) supermarket chain with ±70 supermarkets located in the north of the Netherlands. Paige is considered by Dutch consumers to be the best regional supermarket chain in the Netherlands.
Poiesz is not among the cheapest supermarkets, but its shops are attractive, and Poiesz offers a wide range of quality products for reasonable prices.
Poiesz is a good example of a small supermarket chain that can provide excellent value.
Spar:
Spar Supermarket You may be familiar with Spur Supermarket located in 44 countries. The SPAR supermarket chain started in the Netherlands but expanded internationally when its middle-of-the-road supermarket concept became successful.
Like Albert Hein, Spur supermarkets come in many shapes and sizes. For example, there are large SPAR supermarkets in residential areas and convenience stores at petrol stations, university campuses, or holiday resorts.
Dirk
Most Dirk supermarkets are in the Randstad, and you’ll find a Dirk supermarket in larger Dutch cities where many ex-pats live.
Dark supermarkets focus on cost-conscious consumers differently than discount supermarkets such as Aldi and Leidl. As a result, dark supermarkets have a wide range of private-label products that are much cheaper than A-brands.
Sure, A-brand Dirk is available in supermarkets, but you’ll have a plethora of private-label options and save a lot of money on groceries if you like.
It’s a tempting combination and one of the main reasons why I’ve added Dirks to my list of the best Dutch supermarkets
Hoogvliet:
Hoogvliet is a family-owned supermarket chain that aims to market itself while focusing on responsibility and sustainability.
But, to be honest, I haven’t seen anything like this in Hooglit supermarkets, and I don’t think they need such marketing hyperboles.
They don’t come close to the EcoPlaza when it comes to durability. But on the other hand, Hoogvliet supermarkets offer high-quality groceries at reasonable prices as they have to be one of the best supermarkets in the country.
Nettorama:
Nevertheless, the Dutch still consider Netorma to be one of the best small supermarket chains because Netorma is much cheaper than other supermarkets.
Nettorma supermarkets have lower average prices due to private labels and their supermarkets are mainly located in the southern and western parts of the Netherlands.
Ekoplaza:
Eco plaza is a different supermarket chain because Ecoplaza stands for organic, organic, and vegan. You can find ecoplazas in all major Dutch cities where ex-pats usually live.
People shop at Acoplaza because they want to stay healthy and eat healthy food. Ekoplaza has beautiful ideals to stop our planet’s fatigue and make the world a better place.
EkoPlaza focuses on providing healthy, delicious products that are rich in nutrients without artificial fragrances, colors, flavors, or preservatives.
As a result, they are more expensive than other supermarket chains because they pay fair prices to farmers and producers.
You May Also Like:
Bike Insurance In The Netherlands