Local market vs. Loblaws: Canadian shares shocking grocery bill difference
Canadian TikTok user @byjaded shared a haul of groceries she did at her local fruit market, and the price difference compared to Loblaws is astonishing.
If you haven’t been taking advantage of small, mom-and-pop-owned grocery stores in your neighbourhood, this might encourage you to do so.
“This is what you can get in Canada for $17 when you don’t shop at Loblaws,” said the creator.
According to her business’ Instagram account, the TikToker is based in Toronto. She picked up the groceries at Wellesley Fruit Market, just east of the city’s downtown core.
Hal Carim/Google
For as little as $17, she bought:
- A bundle of avocados
- A cucumber
- A bag of Campari tomatoes (looks to be at least six tomatoes)
- Four limes
- Six bananas
- Two large containers of Ontario-grown strawberries
The TikToker didn’t provide a price breakdown for each item, but she did say the strawberries were two containers for $3.
“This is the haul for all the people who are saying this is all you can get in Canada for $100,” she said. “So take this and times it by five.”
@byjaded This is all the groceries you can get in Canada for $17, remixed. #groceryhaul #canada #shopsmallbusiness #fruitmarket #torontofood ♬ original sound – JADED
Daily Hive calculated a similar grocery haul from Loblaws to compare.
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of a similar amount of items at the grocery giant:
- Five-pack of avocados — $4.99
- One cucumber — $1.99
- Campari tomatoes — $5.99
- Four limes — $3.96
- Six bananas — $1.75
- Two containers of Ontario-grown strawberries — $13.98
Without tax, this grocery trip already costs around $32.66, almost double that of TikToker’s neighbourhood spot.
Canadians shared their shock at the price difference in the video’s comments.
“2 for $3!!!!! I AM SO JEALOUS!” commented one person.
“At Galen’s, this would be 1 billion dollars Canadian,” another commenter joked.
Others shared their experiences doing groceries at small businesses.
“There’s a market near me in Durham. I got a flat (10 pints) of strawberries for $15!! I paid $8 for one pint at Superstore,” reads one comment.
“Amazing! I am always shocked the people that complain about high prices don’t shop around or try mom and pop shops for stuff,” added another.
Reviews for Wellesley Fruit Market mirror @byjaded’s video, praising it for its “fresh, high-quality” produce available “at affordable prices.”
The TikTok user posted this haul just in time for the May-long Loblaw boycott. Canadians are protesting skyrocketing grocery prices by avoiding shopping at the corporation’s stores, which include Loblaws, Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, and No Frills.
The grocery giant’s CEO, Per Bank, addressed the boycott in a statement to employees reportedly shared on April 22.
“Not only are we being unfairly blamed, we’re also not getting credit for the value we are providing,” he wrote.
If you’re looking for alternative grocery stores in your area, you can use this helpful tool.
Follow Channels and Categories