Where to Shop Cheapest? Weekend Grocery Basket Under the Microscope
Norwegians have long been aware that grocery shopping takes up a significant part of the household budget. In times of inflation and rising living costs, the question of where to do weekend shopping most affordably has become increasingly relevant. The latest price comparison across Norway’s three largest discount chains, however, reveals something surprising – the differences are minimal.
Price Comparison: REMA 1000, Kiwi, and Coop Extra
A study conducted by DinSide compared 20 popular grocery items at REMA 1000, Kiwi, and Coop Extra. The result? The most expensive basket was only 6.70 NOK higher than the cheapest one. For many customers, this is a negligible amount, especially when considering factors like store convenience or shorter checkout lines.
While individual items showed some variation—for example, Maarud chips cost up to seven kroner more in one store compared to competitors—the overall basket differences were almost negligible.
Ranking: Which Store Comes Out on Top?
Based on the analysis, a simple ranking can be established:
- REMA 1000 – the cheapest basket, slightly lower than competitors.
- Kiwi – almost identical prices, differing by just a few kroner.
- Coop Extra – slightly more expensive, but the total difference across the basket was less than the price of a takeaway coffee.
In practice, this shows that all three chains are engaged in fierce, very even price competition.
What Does This Mean for Consumers?
For the average shopper, the choice of store should depend more on convenience than on price calculations. If the weekend grocery basket costs only a few kroner more in one store, other factors become more important: product availability, distance from home, or quality of service.
It’s also worth remembering that loyalty discounts and club member promotions can make a real difference, tipping the scales in favor of REMA 1000 one week and Coop Extra the next.
Conclusion
Although REMA 1000 has a slight price advantage, the differences are so small that it’s not worth traveling across town just to save a few kroner. Norway’s discount grocery market proves that competition works—and the customer benefits, as all chains maintain nearly identical prices.
Source: DinSide — “Her er helgehandelen billigst”
https://dinside.dagbladet.no/okonomi/denne-utgjor-forskjellen/83577311
