Before Canadians fill their carts each week, they make dozens of small decisions about where to shop. While every household has different priorities, one question remains the same: What matters most when choosing a grocery store?
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To find out, we asked our Canadian readers to vote in our latest online survey. The results reveal that price remains the biggest factor, but it’s far from the only thing shoppers care about.
Low Prices is Leading the Votes – With 34.45% (904 votes), low prices were the most important factor for Canadian shoppers.
This isn’t surprising. Grocery prices have remained a major concern for many families, making weekly flyers, store promotions, and price matching more valuable than ever. Many Canadians compare deals before shopping and often visit more than one grocery store to maximize their savings.
Whether it’s finding the best produce specials or stocking up during sales, affordability continues to drive where people shop.
Freshness and Quality Are Close Behind – Nearly three in ten respondents (28.62%) said freshness and product quality matter most. Many shoppers are willing to spend a little more if they know they’ll get fresher fruits and vegetables, better-quality meat, and bakery products that last longer. Freshness remains especially important for families, seniors, and anyone preparing meals at home regularly.
The small gap between price and quality suggests Canadians are looking for the best overall value—not simply the lowest prices.
A Clean Shopping Experience Still Matters – A clean, organized grocery store received 17.07% (448 votes). Shoppers appreciate stores with tidy aisles, well-stocked shelves, easy-to-find products, and shorter checkout lines. A pleasant shopping experience can influence where customers return week after week, especially when several stores offer similar prices.
Loyalty Programs Still Drive Shopping – Only 8.73% (229 votes) selected discounts and loyalty rewards as their top priority. While programs such as PC Optimum, Scene+, Air Miles, and other retailer rewards are popular, our survey suggests that they usually complement low prices rather than replace them. Canadians enjoy earning points, but they still expect competitive everyday pricing.
Convenience by Contrast Plays a Smaller Role – Just 6.02% (158 votes) chose location and parking as their most important factor. Convenience certainly matters, particularly for busy families and seniors, but many shoppers appear willing to drive a little farther if another store offers better prices or fresher products.
Product Variety Ranked Last – Interestingly, product variety received only 5.11% (134 votes). Most major grocery chains already carry a broad selection of products, making assortment less of a deciding factor. Unless shoppers are looking for specialty or international foods, price and quality seem to outweigh the number of available choices.
According to this survey, Canadian shoppers are balancing their budgets more carefully than ever. While saving money remains the top priority, freshness and quality continue to play a major role in deciding where to shop each week.