Ron Robinson is keen on cutting costs due to the rising cost of living, starting with his grocery expenses. He opts for shopping at Liquidation Marie, a discount grocery chain in Montreal where prices can be up to 50% lower than regular stores. Robinson mentions buying steaks for around six dollars each, a significant contrast to the $20 to $25 price tag at big box stores.
These discount-style grocery stores are gaining popularity nationwide as Canadians grapple with high food prices. Bianca Amor’s Liquidation Supercentre in Western Canada and The Grocery Outlet in southern Ontario are expanding rapidly. Liquidation Marie, established in 2012, has doubled its locations in the past year alone and plans to add ten more in 2026, bringing the total to 18 in Quebec.
Marie Eve Breton, co-owner of Liquidation Marie, attributes their low prices to buying surplus or mislabeled items from major retailers at discounted rates. The store’s inventory changes daily, offering products like surplus or discontinued items at rock-bottom prices. Despite the unpredictability, the stores attract an average of 30,000 customers weekly, with a Facebook group boasting over 139,000 members.
Dr. Yu Ma from McGill University explains that the surge in these stores is driven by the current economic climate, with grocery prices rising by over 27% in the last five years. Families are seeking ways to stretch their budgets amidst inflation, leading to increased interest in alternative shopping options.
Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University notes that major retailers benefit from liquidation stores by offloading damaged or surplus goods at discounted prices. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency clarifies that best-before dates indicate quality, not safety, prompting consumers to reconsider buying products past their prime to save money.
The acceptance of buying from liquidation grocery stores not only reduces food waste but also challenges the inefficiencies in Canada’s food supply chain. As attitudes shift towards discount shopping, more people are embracing the idea of purchasing near-expiry products at lower prices. This changing mindset is reflected in the growing popularity of these stores across various socioeconomic levels.