Where once supermarkets were a luxury, they’ve slowly become a necessity nobody can live without. Whether you’re planning to make the Netherlands your new home or thinking of making more profits by exploring the Netherlands supermarket business, you’ve come to the right place.
Undoubtedly the Netherlands has a lot of potential in the supermarket business. Since people have adopted the new trend of grocery and superstores, retailers are enjoying heavy profits. There are aisles and aisles of unique food items to explore and enjoy the new aspect of life.
Every supermarket tries its hardest to provide a wide range of products with excellent customer service at reasonable prices. Dutch supermarkets will make you fall in love with their ideal cost, quality, and customer care blend.
These stores will go to great lengths to impress you with their products and behavior to establish a positive customer connection with you and your family.
Here’s our guide to all you need to know about Netherlands supermarkets and grocery stores. This guide intends to help you get the most out of your food shopping in the Netherlands. This covers details on the following topics:
Grocery shopping in The Netherlands
The local supermarket is the best and first choice for most people for grocery shopping. The place is both fun and convenient to visit. As a newbie in the Netherlands, consider visiting a local supermarket in netherlands before anything else. As soon as you step in, you’ll realize Dutch stores in the Netherlands are slightly different from others.
However, if you don’t enjoy indoor shopping and want to explore true grocery shopping culture and the Netherlands, worry not. There are plenty of other options available. You can visit local shops here and there for both packaged and fresh food items.
In case…
Online grocery shopping is always an option if you’re too tired to get out of your bed. Thanks to technological advancement, almost every small and big grocery store in Netherlands offers grocery delivery services.
Environment of Big Supermarket Chains in Netherlands
Regardless of the brand’s size, Dutch supermarkets are modest and compact. If you’re used to shopping in large settings, you could find it difficult to discover things.
The aisles, general location, and product availability, on the other hand, are unaffected. The product selection is as extensive as expected from a household name. You should be able to locate whatever you require in large Netherlands supermarkets in more suburban or out-of-town areas.
Supermarkets may appear to be more costly than you are used to, especially for fresh meat and fruit. On the other hand, the supermarkets are often well-stocked with high-quality fresh meat and fruit and dry goods and spectacular dairy departments. Most stores also have bakeries. You’ll also discover many in-store incentives and discounts to help you stretch your dollar further.
Alternate of Big Stores In the Netherlands
The food alternatives offered to individuals from all walks of life are the finest thing about the Netherlands. It’s perfectly acceptable if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on food from major retailers. You might also discover amazing cheaper options in the Netherlands.
A family almost always runs these less expensive options. They can be far cheaper than traditional supermarkets. Because the Netherlands is such a varied country, traveling to local supermarkets allows you to sample cuisine from many cultures.
Ethnic Grocery Stores in The Netherlands
Ethnic stores are another alternative for grocery shopping in the Netherlands. These stores may be found all across the Netherlands. Foreigners frequently visit these stores since they sell a wider choice of international cuisine.
These items are often cheaper in ethnic Netherlands grocery stores, while big supermarkets may have a cheaper and more diversified assortment of daily things.
Food Shopping at The Netherlands Markets
While shopping for goods at your neighborhood market, get some fresh air. Markets in the Netherlands, on the whole, offer fresh, high-quality food. Fresh fish, fruit, eggs, cheese and vegetables, and dry items like nuts and other snacks will be available at most markets.
Markets are occasionally less expensive than supermarkets and specialty retailers. They may also be an excellent method to obtain more specialized items, such as specific cheeses and nuts. However, certain goods may not always be available, and markets can get quite crowded, particularly in more touristy places.
Things to Know About Dutch Supermarkets
As a newbie, it’s always better to have maximum knowledge to prepare better. Following are a few things you must know before shopping at Dutch supermarket chains in Netherlands.
Say no to shopping bags: It might sound different, but people in the Netherlands bring their own shopping bags from home. These bags can easily be found at checkout counters for a small fee.
A credit card is not an option every time: Yes, you read that right!
Although the world is shifting from paper money to plastic money, some supermarkets in the Netherlands still don’t accept credit cards. It is preferable to verify if the shop takes credit cards to avoid any inconvenience.
Prices may be rounded up: Since the €0.01 and €0.02 coins were phased out in the Netherlands, prices are rounded up or down at the register.
Bottle returns: You must pay a modest refundable deposit for the accompanying bottle to purchase some beverages. Most stores provide bottle returns where you may get your money back.
No assistance: Expect no assistance in loading your groceries at Dutch cash registers. In the Netherlands, you must bag your food, and it is advantageous to do it fast.
Get on your bike: Most people walk or ride because many Dutch supermarkets lack parking – especially in towns and cities. You must either carry your purchases or install panniers on your bike.
Netherlands Supermarkets Prices
Comparison
Dutch supermarket prices vary greatly depending on the supermarket chain. If you are on a tight budget, it is best to avoid premium supermarkets such as Albert Hein or Ekoplaza, as their prices tend to be higher. The price differences are not due to variations in the prices of A-brands.
While the prices of A-brands remain relatively consistent across different supermarkets, some chains, such as Jumbo, claim to offer lower prices. However, it is important to approach these claims with caution.
In contrast, the prices of private-label brands are noticeably lower than those of A-brands. Supermarkets such as Dirk and Nettorama focus heavily on offering lower-cost shopping through private-label products, while discount supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi provide budget products with a limited range but high volume.
Premium supermarkets like Albert Hein and Ekoplaza offer a wide variety of high-quality (organic) products, which are more expensive. It’s worth noting that even their regular premium products are pricier than non-organic products.
To provide a summary of Dutch supermarket prices, refer to the table below.
| # | Supermarket | Expensive |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albert Hein | $$$ |
| 2 | Jumbo | $$ |
| 3 | Aldi | $ |
| 4 | Spar | $$ |
| 5 | Lidl | $ |
| 6 | PLUS | $$ |
| 7 | Poiesz | $$ |
| 8 | Dirk | $ |
| 9 | Hoogvliet | $$ |
| 10 | Ekoplaza | $$$ |
| 11 | Nettorama | $ |
Top 25 Supermarkets in The Netherlands
Following is the list of the 20 best supermarkets in Netherlands.
1 Albert Heijn
2 Jumbo
Jumbo is another premium supermarket chain and a formidable competitor of Albert Hein. It has become a brand like Albert due to its high-quality products. People who shop at known supermarkets will find no difference in quality at Jumbo. The business started its operations on 18 October 1979. It was a joint venture by Jan and Anita Meurs. They are very unique on the supermarket layout, to know more about their shopfittings, please see RedSheep-Jumbo case study regarding their display racks and other equipments. It is also has the biggest supermarket in netherlands.
3 Lidl
Lidl is a strong rival to Aldi, a popular German bargain retailer in numerous areas. It is well-known for providing excellent value for money. Its headquarters are in Baden-Neckarsulm. Württemberg’s The company is owned by the Schwarz Group, which also owns the Kaufland hypermarket chain. Another highlight of Lidl is its non-food products available at discounted rates.
4 Plus
Plus it is a well-known supermarket in the Netherlands. The company was established in 1928 as ‘Sperwer.’ In 2001, the banner ‘Plus’ was launched after many name modifications. It is now the fourth-largest grocery chain in the United States. The company presently has 270+ independent outlets and a market share of 6.7 percent. Plus has one national distribution hub and three regional distribution facilities.
5 Aldi Nord
6 COOP
Coop supermarket was founded in 1891 in Zaandam, Netherlands. Zaandam is the first industrial area in the Netherlands. A huge chain of supermarkets spread throughout the country, from small villages to large cities. It is ideal for locals to shop because of its high-quality products at affordable rates. Recently Coop has announced its merger with Plus supermarkets to perform better in the market.
7 Dirk
The business started its operation in 1942 by Dirk van den Broek (1924-2020) as a milk store in Amsterdam. That milk store was converted into a self-service market in 1948. In Amsterdam, the first supermarket under the brand Dirk was opened in 1953. The supermarket focuses on cost-conscious customers but differently than discount supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl.
8 Hoogvliet
The next on our list is the Hoogvliet supermarket. It is a family-owned supermarket business. The business offers a wide range of fresh produce, baked goods, meat, cheeses, frozen meals, non-food products, spirits, flowers, and plants. Hoogvliet serves customers physically and online throughout the Netherlands.
9 DekaMarkt
DekaMarkt is a chain of widespread supermarket in the Netherlands. It started its operations in 1941 in Velsen-Noord. The store was opened by Dirk Kat, who had to shut down its operations due to the German occupation of the Netherlands. However, in 1949 he opened the first complete self-service store in the Netherlands. Dekamarkt offers home delivery in maximum areas.
10 Jane Linders
The headquarters of Jan Linders B.V. is in Venray, LIMBURG, Netherlands. It is a well-known brand in the country for producing high-quality goods. The company now employs 103 people and earns $35.52 million in revenue (USD). The Jan Linders B.V. corporate family consists of 64 entities.
11 SPAR
Spar supermarkets are well-known all across the world. The company serves customers in more than 40 countries. The SPAR supermarket company first opened its doors in the Netherlands. When their middle-of-the-road grocery idea proved popular, they expanded globally. Like Albert Hein’s, Spar supermarkets come in various shapes and sizes.
12 Makro
Warehouse clubs, commonly known as cash and carry stores, are an international franchise of warehouse clubs. In collaboration with Metro AG of Germany, Makro was developed by SHV Holdings, a Utrecht-based Dutch corporation. In 1968, they launched their warehouse club in Amsterdam. The international chain of stores is now owned by Metro AG in Europe (excluding the United Kingdom), SHV Holdings in Latin America (except Peru), and C.P. All in Asia.
13 Action
Action is a fast growing international discount store chain, based on the Netherlands. First store opened by Gerard Deen and Rob Wagemaker in the year 1993 in Enkhuizen. In 2021, they have more than 1800 stores and over 50000 employees, in 9 countries across European. They have gain a lot of success in the past years, no matter good or bad one. To learn more about them, here’s our Action case study of their layout and Equipment.
14 Blokker
Blokker is a dutch company who has several chains of stores, the brand store blokker was founded in the year 1896, Intertoys in the 1976, big bazar in 2007. All the chain stores reached 2825 shops, with a revenue of 2.1 billion Euro. It’s entirely owned by the family Blokker. In the year 2015, they refreshed their store theme by cooperated by using RedSheep’s special made display racks, and has been well received by the customers.
15 Hema
Hema is a dutch based luxury department store, which founded in Amsterdam back to year 1926, now it’s a international store chain, who owns more than 700 stores and 12000 workers in nine countries in the world. Hema store offers services like furnishings, fashion, photo service, food and others. One of the most popular Hema products is the smoked sausage “Rookworst”, the retail chain has been made this sausage since the 1930s.
16 Mediamarkt
Mediamarkt is German based international chain stores selling consumer electronics with over 1000 chain stores in European, since 1979. Owned by the reail company Ceconomy, founded by four entrepreneurs in Munich. Every store shares 10% stock with the store manager. It’s revenue was 21.4 billion Euro in the year 2021.
17 Zeeman
Zeeman is a clothes supermarket since 1967, founded by Jan Zeeman. With headquarters in Alphen aan den rijn, the Netherlands, now it has 1300 chain stores in 7 Western European countries. Old Zeeman owned this company until his heath in year 2020, and this company succeeded by Bart Karis.
18 Boni
Boni is a chain of supermarkets founded in 1972 in Drachten. Initially, it had a limited variety of products. However, today the company is known to deal in meat, grocery, general merchandise, and other stuff throughout The Netherlands. Boni is a popular name throughout the Netherlands, with approximately 37 branches.
19 Boon's Markt
Boon’s markt is another popular name in a local Dutch supermarket. The objective of Boon’s is to offer high-quality products at affordable rates to make it easy for locals to afford quality items. Initially, the business was small; however, it is doing well in the market today.
20 Dagwinkel
Dagwinkel is a chain of supermarkets in the Netherlands. It is known for its high-quality products at affordable rates. Dagwinkel supermarkets are spread throughout the place for locals to shop at ease. It has its headquarters in Gelderland, Netherlands.
21 EkoPlaza
The word Ekoplaza stands for organic, biological, and vegan. EkoPlaza is a Dutch chain of organic food supermarkets. As the name suggests, it is a different style chain of supermarkets. It is a great place to shop for those who want to lead a healthy lifestyle. The place focuses on healthy, tasty products full of nutrients rich in flavor.
22 MCD Supermarket
MCD is a chain of supermarkets in the Netherlands. The store is known for its affordable price and quality of products. It is a great option for locals to shop for quality items. Currently, the store has 2,357 employees and makes an approximate $447 million in revenue.
23 Nettorama
Nettorama is a budget grocery company based in the Netherlands. It is active in the province of Noord-Brabant. However, the discounter operates throughout the Netherlands’ east and Limburg and Utrecht. In 2019, the Netherlands had just over 30 Nettorama supermarkets. These supermarkets’ combined store floor size was under 34,000 square meters.
24 Sneek
Sneek, FRIESLAND, Netherlands is home to Poiesz Supermarkten B.V. The store is in the Grocery Stores business. Poiesz Supermarkten B.V. employs 1,176 people across all of its sites and earns total revenue of $253.39 million (USD). The Poiesz Supermarkten B.V. corporate family consists of 72 firms.
25 Voordeelmarkt
Voordeelmarkt is an independent supermarket in the Netherlands. The organization specializes in retail, food, and supermarket. It is quite popular all across the Netherlands. Voordeelmarkt is a company based in Alkmaar, Netherlands, that was founded in 1968.
Why Supermarkets in The Netherlands Need New Shelving Frequently?
A Holland customer gave a great reason for why they decided to switch to new gondola shelving: “When customers come to visit the store, they will think: ‘The store treats the shelving good, so they will treat the customers good.’” This simple but powerful logic shows how paying attention to the little things, like shelving, can have a big impact on how customers see the supermarket. When the store upgrades to new shelving, it not only makes the store look better, but it also tells customers the store cares about them and quality, which helps the supermarkets get and keep more customers.
FAQ
What are the Biggest Supermarket Chains in the Netherlands?
Are Supermarkets in the Netherlands Open Every Day?
Most supermarkets are open seven days a week, usually from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Some smaller or rural stores may close earlier, and hours can be reduced on Sundays or holidays.
Do Dutch Supermarkets Charge for Shopping Bags?
Yes. By law, plastic bags are not free. You’re encouraged to bring your own bags or buy reusable ones at checkout.
Can I Shop Online and Get Groceries Delivered?
Yes. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and PLUS have good online platforms and apps where you can order for home delivery or pick-up. Lidl and Aldi are also getting into online.
Do I Need to Bring Coins for Shopping Carts?
Many supermarkets require a €0.50 or €1 coin (or token) to unlock a shopping cart. When you return the cart, you get your coin back.
Are Organic or Eco-Friendly Options Available?
Yes. Most supermarkets have organic sections, and EkoPlaza is an entire supermarket dedicated to organic and sustainable products, including the world’s first plastic-free aisle.
Are English labels and services available?
While most labels are in Dutch, many include English for ingredients and allergens. Store staff generally speak good English, especially in larger cities.
Do Supermarkets in the Netherlands Sell Alcohol and Tobacco?
Alcohol: Beer and wine are sold in supermarkets, but stronger spirits are only available in dedicated liquor stores (slijterij).
Tobacco: As of July 2024, supermarkets can no longer sell cigarettes or tobacco products.
Are Supermarkets More Expensive Than Local Markets?
Supermarkets are convenient but sometimes pricier for fresh produce. Farmers’ markets and ethnic stores often have fresher or cheaper fruits, vegetables, and specialty items.
Do Dutch Supermarkets Accept International Payment Cards?
Most people take Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, and contactless payments. But some smaller stores might prefer Maestro or Dutch debit cards (PIN), so it’s good to check before you go shopping.
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