With the cost of living on the rise, Ron Robinson is committed to cutting expenses wherever possible, starting with his grocery spending. This is why he shops at Liquidation Marie, a discount grocery chain in Montreal where prices are up to 50% lower than traditional grocery stores. Robinson recalls buying steaks for around six dollars each, a significant contrast to the $20 to $25 price tag for a similar pack at big box stores.
The trend of liquidation-style grocery stores gaining popularity is evident across Canada as consumers grapple with high food costs. Bianca Amor’s Liquidation Supercentre has expanded to 17 locations in Western Canada over 25 years, while The Grocery Outlet in southern Ontario now boasts over a dozen stores.
Liquidation Marie, established in 2012, has rapidly increased its presence, doubling its locations in the past year alone. Co-owner Marie Eve Breton attributes the store’s competitive prices to purchasing surplus or discounted food products from major retailers and reselling them at discounted rates.
Breton explains that the merchandise at liquidation stores varies daily, offering items like surplus or mislabeled products. Despite the unpredictability, the appeal remains strong, with Liquidation Marie attracting an average of 30,000 customers weekly and amassing over 139,000 members on its bargain-sharing Facebook group.
The surge in interest in liquidation grocery stores can be attributed to the challenging economic climate, as grocery prices have surged by over 27% in the past five years. Families are increasingly turning to alternative shopping options to stretch their budgets amid rising costs.
Moreover, the acceptance of purchasing products past their best-before dates is growing, reducing food waste and easing pressure on food systems to raise prices. This shift in consumer behavior is not only helping individuals save money but also contributing to a broader effort to combat food waste and inefficiencies in the food supply chain.
Discount grocery shopping is becoming popular across various socioeconomic levels, reflecting the broader impact of food insecurity and high prices on a larger audience. The shift in attitudes towards best-before dates and discounted products signals a changing landscape in consumer behavior towards food purchases.