The Netherlands has over a dozen supermarket chains to choose from, with Albert Heijn and Jumbo leading the pack, and budget options like Lidl, Aldi, and Dirk not far behind.

Supermarkets in the Netherlands, much like Dutch cheese, come in many different shapes and sizes.

Finding the right one for you, whether it’s a budget, organic, or premium supermarket, can be harder than finding an NS train with no delays. Oh, and grocery delivery services? The Netherlands has plenty of choices, too.

Lo and behold, the answers you need: the ultimate guide to supermarkets in the Netherlands! 🙌

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What are the most common supermarkets in the Netherlands?

It goes without saying that the Netherlands has many great supermarket chains, but it can get a tad confusing differentiating all of them and finding one that suits your budget.

To help you decide, here are the most common supermarkets you’re likely to find here. 👇

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Albert Heijn: widely available, but expensive

Albert Heijn (commonly known as AH or Appie) is the largest and most widely available supermarket chain in the Netherlands, with over 1,000 stores nationwide. It’s the go-to for most Dutch shoppers, and you’ll almost certainly live closest to one.

However, the trade-off is price. Albert Heijn is widely considered one of the priciest supermarkets in the country, so shopping here without a strategy can add up fast.

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Jumbo: Albert Heijn’s more affordable cousin

Jumbo is the second-largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands and is generally considered slightly more affordable than Albert Heijn, without sacrificing much on product range or quality.

What really sets Jumbo apart is its 7 Zekerheden (7 Certainties), which is a set of customer guarantees that includes things like the longest queue having no more than one person ahead of you, and products with today’s expiry date being free of charge.

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Aldi: perfect for the budget-conscious

Aldi is a German discount supermarket chain and one of the cheapest options for grocery shopping in the Netherlands. It has a no-frills setup, with a smaller range than Albert Heijn or Jumbo, fewer branded products, and a simple layout.

That being said, what it lacks in variety it more than makes up for in price. If your main goal is keeping costs down, Aldi delivers exactly that.

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Lidl: cheap and well-stocked

Lidl is another affordable German discount chain with a strong presence across the Netherlands.

Like Aldi, it offers super-low prices, but Lidl tends to have a slightly broader range, a well-stocked fresh produce section, and the Lidl Plus app for additional discounts and digital coupons.

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Plus: mid-range with good discounts

Plus is a Dutch cooperative supermarket chain with around 260 stores, and a great mid-range option between the budget discounters and the premium end of the market.

In addition to a solid range of products, its stores are well-organised, and its online ordering system is straightforward.

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Dirk: great bang for your buck

Dirk is a solid Dutch discount supermarket and one of the best options for budget shoppers who don’t want to compromise too much on range. It’s particularly strong on own-brand products, with the Consumentenbond reporting that it’s one of the cheapest for huismerken (own-brand products).

Dirk stores are concentrated mainly in the Randstad, so it’s most useful if you’re based in or around Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or The Hague.

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SPAR: widespread and convenient

SPAR is a Dutch-founded multinational chain with one of the widest footprints in the Netherlands. You’ll find Spar City stores in busy residential areas and city centres, compact Spar Express outlets at train stations, and larger neighbourhood stores dotted across the country.

Many SPAR City locations offer online ordering with same-day delivery, and free delivery on orders over €50 — handy for a quick grocery haul without even leaving the office.

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What are regional, organic, and vegan supermarkets in the Netherlands?

In addition to your everyday supermarkets, the Netherlands is also home to other supermarkets, as well as speciality stores for your more niche grocery needs. 🍃

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Hoogvliet: high quality and reasonable

Hoogvliet is a mid-range Dutch supermarket chain focused on fresh, quality produce at reasonable prices. It operates mainly in the central and western Netherlands (think Utrecht, South Holland, and surrounding areas), so if there’s one near you, it’s well worth a try.

However, what really makes Hoogvliet stand out is its freshness guarantee. Not happy with what you’ve bought? You can get your money back. Geweldig! 🙌

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Nettorama: a regional, wallet-friendly option

Nettorama is one of the cheapest supermarket chains in the Netherlands, with consistently low prices across both branded and own-label products. If a low price is your only condition, it’s hard to beat.

Helaas, Nettorama operates mainly in the south and east of the country, so if you’re in the Randstad, you’re out of luck.

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DekaMarkt: affordable, yet regional

DekaMarkt is a budget-friendly Dutch supermarket chain operating mainly in North Holland, South Holland, Gelderland, Overijssel, and Flevoland. It’s part of the same group as Dirk (Detailresult Groep), but positions itself as the slightly more upmarket sibling, with a broader range and a strong focus on fresh produce.

As Detailresult Groep manages its own production and distribution centres, DekaMarkt can keep quality high while prices stay low.

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EkoPlaza: organic and high-quality

EkoPlaza is the largest organic supermarket chain in the Netherlands, with over 140 stores nationwide. It was also the first supermarket in the world to have a “plastic-free aisle” in 2018!

Every product it stocks is certified organic, making it the best Dutch supermarket for shoppers who prioritise sustainability and natural ingredients. That being said, prices tend to be steep.

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EkoPlaza Foodmarqt (Marqt): excellent vegan range

Despite being forced to merge with its competitor EkoPlaza, Marqt still maintains its distinct identity as a trendy supermarket catering to lovers of all things fresh and biological.

Even more impressive is its insanely wide range of vegan products, which even non-vegans are likely to be tempted by.

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Amazing Oriental: authentically Asian, but pricey

Amazing Oriental is the largest Asian supermarket chain in the Netherlands, stocking a wide range of ingredients and products from across East and Southeast Asia. Whether you’re after miso, fresh tofu, imported noodles, or a specific brand of chilli sauce from home, this is your best bet.

Prices skew higher than mainstream supermarkets, but for hard-to-find ingredients, it’s often the only option.

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Independent grocers: budget-friendly alternatives to chains

Independent grocers, particularly Turkish-run groenteboeren (greengrocers) and Middle Eastern or Asian grocery stores, are often significantly cheaper than mainstream Dutch supermarket chains, especially for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy.

In addition to this, the number of international grocery stores in the Netherlands has grown steadily in recent years, making them a great option for cutting costs and buying ingredients you won’t easily find elsewhere.

Delivery services in the Netherlands

For those short of time (or just wrangling a whole bunch of kids), wandering the aisles of a supermarket can be a tedious, time-consuming task.

Luckily, the Netherlands is also home to some handy delivery services for your groceries and meal kits!

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Dutch grocery delivery services

In addition to supermarkets that offer delivery options, the Netherlands has many grocery delivery services.

This is a great option for working professionals or those short of time, as you can purchase your groceries online or via an app and then choose a time to have them delivered.

Some popular grocery delivery services in the Netherlands include:

• Picnic: a troupe of adorable, environmentally-friendly mini-trucks that deliver affordable groceries straight to your door
• GroenteBroer: a family business that prides itself on nothing but the freshest fruits and vegetables

Meal kit delivery services in the Netherlands

Much like grocery delivery services, meal kit delivery services are taking the Netherlands by storm. Who would have guessed that Dutchies don’t like doing their own meal prep? 😉

• HelloFresh: a company that delivers meal kits for all household sizes and dietary preferences
• Marley Spoon: a meal delivery kit featuring Martha Stewart-approved recipes and high-quality ingredients

Flash-delivery services in the Netherlands

Desperate for your groceries and don’t want to wait a day or two for delivery? Sounds like you need to order from a flash delivery service!

As of 2026, the Netherlands has only one flash-delivery service:

• Flink: a grocery service that offers a nippy delivery for supermarket prices

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What to expect at a Dutch supermarket

If you’ve never been to a Dutch supermarket before, here’s a straightforward look at what to expect.

How many supermarkets are there in the Netherlands?

Internationals that are unfamiliar with Dutch supermarkets may initially be shocked at how small many of them are, compared to supermarkets abroad.

There’s a reason for this, of course, as supermarkets in the Netherlands are concentrated in much smaller areas, with most Dutchies on average just one kilometre away from at least two supermarkets — and five kilometres away from 24, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

Because of this (and their small houses and fridges), it’s not uncommon for Dutch people to go to the supermarket multiple times per week instead of doing one large weekly shop. 

Do supermarkets in the Netherlands pack your bags?

Unlike many other countries, cashiers in the Netherlands don’t pack customers’ groceries for them. Given how crowded Dutch supermarkets can be at peak times, stuffing your groceries into bags at record speed is a skill well worth learning!

Do I need to bring my own shopping bag to Dutch supermarkets?

Oh — and speaking of bags, it’s easiest to bring a reusable shopping bag along with you, as plastic bags at the checkout aren’t free. (Not to mention the fact that reusable bags are more environmentally-friendly! 🍃)

However, despite leaning into environmentalism, many Dutch supermarkets still use a lot of plastic wrap on their fresh produce. Yes, Dutch supermarkets, we are judging you. 🧑‍⚖️

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How to save money at a Dutch supermarket

Grocery shopping in the Netherlands can occasionally be a very expensive endeavour, but here are some tips and tricks to save your precious geld (money). ✨

Use a supermarket loyalty card

Your first port of call should definitely be getting a discount card if your local supermarket has one. Some supermarkets, like Albert Heijn, only offer discounts to cardholders, so your card will help you get the most bang for your buck!

Look out for Dutch supermarket discount labels

Most Dutch supermarkets are also very generous with their discounts, so you’ll see regular kortingen (discounts) available. Some of the most common include:

• 2e gratis: buy one and get one free
• 1+1 gratis: buy one and get one free
• 50% korting: the product has a discount of 50%
• OP = OP: the product is at a discounted price, while stocks last

Buy own-brand (huismerken) products

Another effective way of saving money at a Dutch supermarket is buying huismerken (own-brand products) instead of A-merken (products from well-known brands). 

Huismerken that offer great bang for your buck include:

• AH at Albert Heijn (tip: avoid AH Excellent, which is their pricier tier of products)
• 1 de Best at Dirk
• g’woon at Superunie supermarkets (available at Hoogvliet, Coop, and Jumbo, among many others)

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Even though figuring out the best supermarket for your budget and personal tastes can be a monumental task at first, the rewards to your wallet and diet can be well worth it.

What would you add to our supermarket guide? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

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Supermarkets in the Netherlands: frequently asked questions

Decisions, decisions, decisions… they can get awfully confusing, so we’re here to answer any remaining questions you may have!