When it comes to grocery shopping in Mexico, you’ll find typical supermarkets, just like in the USA, that sell everything under one roof, as well as smaller markets focused on everyday items.
You will find both familiar brands like Walmart, Costco, and Sam’s Club that are pretty much the same as in other countries. There are also local brands that mainly supply local products. Here is a quick guide on where to go grocery shopping while living in Mexico. It lists all popular supermarket chains here, big and small, so you will know in advance what to expect.
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Supermarkets or Hypermarkets (AKA Super Mercados)
There are several well-known and reputable nationwide or regional supermarket chains in Mexico. Depending on your location, you may have the opportunity to pick and choose which is better for you.
Many of the supermarkets carry their own brands, like major supermarkets in the United States. It will take you a few visits to get accustomed to their in-store brand names.
Supermarkets also have the largest selection of beer, wine, and liquors. You might not find your favorite American craft beer, but you can take advantage of their promotions before or during holidays. You’ll also find pharmacies within large supermarkets with competitive pricing on everything from medications to personal hygiene items.
Downloading a specific store’s app on your smartphone is a must. Checking a specific store’s app before shopping is a great way to figure out basic pricing and promotions for the week.
Here’s a quick rundown on some of the more popular supermarkets in Mexico:
Chedraui
One of the 400 Chedraui stores is a great option for food and retail items. You’ll find everything under one roof, from fresh food, fruits, and vegetables to electronics, household goods, prepared foods, and clothing at budget-friendly prices.
You can find some upscale items at the store. They offer specialty meats, imported cheeses, and American brand products, along with traditional Mexican brand products. The store also produces its own product line of items that are of good quality.
You can find the closest Chedraui location to you here.
Soriana
There are more than 800 Soriana stores throughout Mexico. Soriana offers similar products to other large supermarkets or hypermarkets. They have their own brand-name products, usually at discounted prices compared to name brands.
One great thing about Soriana is their rewards program. Sign up for their reward program to receive special pricing throughout the store on selected items. You can accumulate rewards to use on a later visit to help bring down the cost of your grocery shopping.
You won’t find as many specialty food items such as meats or imported cheeses. The store primarily caters to the Mexican community.
You can find the closest Soriana store to you here.
Walmart and Bodega Aurrera
You’ll find more than 3,000 Walmart stores across all of Mexico. In larger cities, they’re simply known as Walmart, while Bodega Aurrera is found in smaller communities. They carry many of the same product lines as in the United States, like their Great Value brand, at a discounted price.
The larger locations offer a selection of food and retail items like Chedraui and Soriana, but Bodega Aurrera offers a smaller selection of everything. The prices are competitive with all the other supermercados in Mexico.
You can find the closest Walmart store in your area here.
La Comer and City Market
La Comer with 80 stores and City Market with 13 stores are owned by the same corporation. Both stores carry more high-end food items that cost more than at a supermarket. But you’re buying quality over quantity.
You’ll also find these stores in touristy areas or areas with a dense population of expats. You’ll find not only Mexican brands but also American labels and a healthy assortment of expat favorites. The stores have unique prepared foods made fresh daily or to order. In my opinion, specialties like lasagna, beef Wellington, linguini in clam sauce, a variety of soups and stews, top-notch sandwiches, and salads are tasty.
At either store, you will probably find that rare item from your past homeland you crave to eat.
La Comer has a rewards program that offers in-store discounts, or you can use your points towards future purchases.
City Market is ideal for high-end wines and craft beers from the US and around the world.
You can find a La Comer location near you here and City Market locations here.
Super Aki
Super Aki is primarily found in the eastern portion of Mexico in the states of Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. The 53 Super Aki stores are simple and carry thousands of items with competitive pricing.
You can expect to find fresh fruits, vegetables, a variety of meats (packaged and fresh), household goods, and a good inventory of Mexican labels, from laundry detergents to snacks to canned foods. Some of the stores carry a variety of imported items, especially in areas like Merida and Playa del Carmen.
You can find the location nearest to you here.
HEB
If you live in Texas or the Southwest, you’ll recognize HEB stores. There are 87 HEB stores located in the Northeast region of Mexico. The stores offer great value and stock plenty of American brands to help you feel at home.
Shopping at HEB feels much like shopping in the USA. They also have a great rewards program that offers in-store discounts and points you can use to buy specific products.
You can check for an HEB store near you here.
Big Box or Membership Stores
There are a couple of membership store options if you’re looking to buy in bulk. Like their counterparts in the USA, these stores are huge and popular with both expats and locals. Each carries their own brand-name quality products, such as Kirkland and Great Value, at discounted prices. Because of this, you won’t need to ship a lot of groceries from the US to Mexico at all.
You’ll find these stores only in large cities. The expat population doesn’t matter as much, but the overall population of the city and its surrounding area attracts these stores. You’ll also find pharmacies located within these stores, offering great prices on medications and personal hygiene items.
If you’re a member of one of these stores in the USA, you can use your membership card at locations in Mexico. If you’re not a member, you’re in luck because membership fees in Mexico are about 50% less than in the USA.
Sam’s Club
One of Sam’s Club’s 163 stores can be found in larger cities throughout Mexico. Owned and operated by Walmart, these stores offer everything under one roof, including fresh foods, home furnishings, electronics, clothes, and frozen foods.
The stores feature their own product lines alongside Mexican and American brand names. If you’re looking for a specific item from back home, you may find it at Sam’s Club. You can find the nearest store near you here.
Costco
There are 40 Costco stores spread throughout Mexico’s larger cities. Costco stores in Mexico are as popular as in the USA. People trust their brand-name items, pricing, and variety of food and household goods.
These stores are located only in highly populated areas, and inventories may vary depending on the store’s location. However, you can still count on finding essentials like their famous toilet paper. Costco offers prepared foods, frozen foods, imported labels including European cheeses, and, of course, the food court. You can check here for a store near you.
Smaller Grocery Stores
If you live in a smaller community, you’ll need transportation to shop at one of the larger supermarkets. However, there are options if you’d prefer not to take a bus or taxi. These smaller stores carry less inventory, mostly offer Mexican brand names, and are generally cost-effective.
The stores focus on food and beverages, personal hygiene items, and simple fresh foods like sandwich meats, Mexican cheeses, and packaged foods. They also stock beer, wine, and liquor, though pharmacies are not typically found in these stores.
Here is a quick list of some regional smaller markets:
Neto
Neto has more than 1,700 locations across 20 Mexican states. Neto is a great option for cheaper bulk items like toilet paper, cooking oils, pastas, paper products, and beverages, from beer to soft drinks. They also carry many Best Choice items produced by Associated Wholesale Grocers, who supply products for larger stores like Walmart, La Comer, Soriana, and more.
Tienda Lores
Tienda Lores is primarily located in the southern region of Mexico in areas like Veracruz and Oaxaca. Tiendas Lores offers all your basic needs, including milk, cheese, bread, paper products, and personal hygiene items.
Their weekly specials keep them competitive with larger stores. They may be a convenient and cost-effective option if you’re looking at a bus or taxi ride to reach a supermercado.
Calimax
There are 117 Calimax stores situated along the Baja California Peninsula and Sonora. The stores offer everything you need, from food products to personal hygiene items, fresh foods, and alcoholic beverages.
Check here for the nearest Calimax store to you.
Convenience Chains
If you just need a quick item or two in Mexico, you’re in luck. There are thousands of convenience stores on nearly every street corner.
OXXO
The biggest convenience store operator in Mexico, with more than 22,000 locations, is OXXO. You’ll find an OXXO in both small and large towns. They offer about 500 different items, from bread and milk to prepared foods, personal hygiene products, and even cell phones. If you need something fast, OXXO is a great option.
Farmacia Guadalajara
Farmacia Guadalajara is perfect when you need to pick up a prescription and do some shopping. They carry American-brand personal hygiene products, packaged cheeses and meats, milk, a variety of paper products, and packaged foods.
With more than 2,700 stores located throughout Mexico, they offer competitive pricing on promotions and a good selection of common necessities.
Local Markets (AKA Mercados)
One of the best experiences you can have in Mexico is visiting a local market or mercado. Inside, the aromas of food stalls selling everything from tacos to soups, fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, and other locally sourced foods fill the air.
The freshness of the fruits and vegetables will amaze you. You’ll find a wide assortment of locally grown or daily trucked-in produce.
Vendors offer fresh meats such as chicken, beef, pork, locally made sausages, and fresh seafood. Traditional Mexican cheeses from local farmers are also available daily. In addition to food, you can find clothing and a few everyday products at affordable prices.
Whether you live in a large or small town, you’ll find a local market nearby.
Specialty Markets
Specialty markets primarily deal with specific food groups. Your local panadería (bakery) offers delicious baked goods, your local carnicería (butcher) provides fresh beef and pork, and pescadores (seafood vendors) sell fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
Neighborhood Abarrotes
Every neighborhood has a family-owned abarrote, usually on a corner or somewhere along the street. These stores offer quick purchases for snacks, tortillas, local cheese, milk, soft drinks, and cleaning supplies.
Think of these stores as scaled-down versions of an American convenience store. Prices might vary by only a peso or two, allowing you to save time and energy rather than driving to a larger store.
Good to Know
When it comes to grocery shopping in Mexico, here’s some useful information to know in advance.
Cost Comparison
You’ll likely spend around 35-40% less on items in Mexico compared to the US. This price difference is largely due to more locally sourced products, either produced in Mexico or from local farms and ranches.
Payment Methods
Larger grocery stores in Mexico accept credit and debit cards. Many people prefer using cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Grocery stores in Mexico are also a good place to use American dollars. These stores often offer a better exchange rate, but they may limit the amount of change you receive in pesos.
Tipping the Bagger
One noticeable difference in Mexico is the grocery bagger. This person might be old or young, depending on the region or store type. No matter what, tip them. They generally don’t get paid an hourly wage and rely on your tips.
A good amount to tip is between one and five pesos per bag of groceries.
Similar Products but Different Names
When grocery shopping in Mexico, you’ll find plenty of quality items under different names or labels. This is common with cleaning supplies like Clorox or laundry detergents like Dawn or Tide. Pay attention to pricing as there’s often a cost difference. Most Mexican-brand cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, and personal hygiene items work well.
If you’re accustomed to a specific brand name, be prepared to pay more.
Delivery
Not all large supermarket chains offer curbside or home delivery, but these features are available in most larger cities like Mexico City or cities with a significant expat population. To qualify for free home delivery or curbside pickup, you typically need to spend between MXN$300-500. If your order is below this amount, you can expect to pay an additional MXN$100.
Uber, Didi, and Rappi are also popular options for grocery delivery in most larger cities.
Now on to You
You now have the rundown on grocery stores in Mexico. With this guide, you can feel confident shopping at any of the above locations. Keep in mind, you might need to visit a couple of different stores to find specific items or brands you prefer. In smaller communities, expat favorites might not be readily available.
Before heading out to shop, consider writing a grocery list in Spanish. This can help you in many ways, from improving your Spanish vocabulary to getting assistance from staff if you can’t find a specific item.
If you’re aiming to get the best possible prices, use technology to your advantage. Check store apps or websites to compare prices before shopping. And don’t forget the tortillas!
