Posted on November 11, 2016 by Islande24
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When preparing a trip to Iceland, it is useful to know where you can go shopping.All the Icelandic towns and villages have at least one supermarket or you may have the option of going to a fish market, bakery or grocery store.
Supermarket shopping is by far the cheapest. Bónus,the supermarket chain, is the most inexpensive of Iceland, and you will find this store easily in major cities thanks to its pink smiling pig logo.If you’re in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik, there is a large Bónus in the district of Grandi.You may be lucky enough to be served by the wonderful cashier Fransisca Mwansa, an immigrant from Zambia, who is known as “the happiest cashier of Iceland”.
It transforms the bland experience of your shopping into a Christmas tale (and if you think I am exaggerating, you‘ve clearly not had the pleasure of meeting her)! The supermarket is emblematic and was the subject of a book of poems by Andri Snær Magnuson;built as the Divine Comedy of Dante, the poems take you through the shelves of the supermarket, beginning with Paradise (fruit and vegetables) and Hell (meat department) and finally to Purgatory (detergents).
The fruit and vegetable selection at Bónus is quite limited if you want more choice, try theKrónanorNettósupermarkets.Storessuch as Samkaup
Urval, Samkaup Strax, 10-11andHagkaup are more expensive than the previous ones, but often it is possible to find a more international selection.Hagkaup, kind of similar to Marks and Spencers, sellscosmetics , clothes and decorative items in addition to more traditional products;this is the place to go if you want to buy a French goat bûchette, jar of duck fat or organic milk.
At the supermarket check-out, the cashier will usually ask how many bags you intend to use, as you will have to pay for these when purchasing your goods. It also makes sense to buy reusable bags which are stronger and more durable. In larger cities, you will also have a choice of small neighborhood shops, such asMelabúðinin the Vesturbær neighborhood of Reykjavík, shops selling local and organic products, such asLifandi markaðurorHeilsuhúsið,and specialty stores such as the cheese shop, Óstabúðin, on Skölavorðurstígur, which is also a restaurant. Most of the petrol stations also have convenience stores with deli counters and coffee.Kiosks that sell hot dogs and sweets known as sjóppaare located throughout many of the towns.
It is forbidden to display cigarettes in stores in Iceland, so the cashier will keep them behind the counter.Alcohol can only be bought in the off-licenseVínbúð,which is owned by the state and controls the sale of alcohol. Supermarkets are generally open from 10 or 11 to 6 p.m., and open at noon on Sunday.In larger cities, stores such as 10-11, Hagkaup or Samkaup are open round the clock.
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FAQs
List of supermarket chains in Iceland
| Name | Stores | Type of store |
|---|
| Euro-Market | 3 | convenience |
| Hagkaup | 8 | department store |
| Krónan | 23 | discount |
| Kjarval | 2 | convenience |
12 more rowsThe cheapest supermarkets in Iceland are Bonus and Kronan
The two largest and cheapest chains are Bonus and Kronan, the latter coming out as just a tad more expensive. Iceland groceries don't come more bog standard than this, making both supermarkets a favourite for residents and visitors alike.
What is the Walmart equivalent in Iceland? ›
Founded in 1959, Hagkaup (pronounced HOW-kup) is an Icelandic retailer with seven locations across the country. Travel bloggers, Iceland travel guides, and sites like Globe City Guide have compared Hagkaup to Walmart for its wide-ranging selection of food, housewares, clothes, cosmetics, crafts, toys, and other items.
How do supermarkets work? ›
Supermarkets typically are chain stores, supplied by the distribution centers of their parent companies, thus increasing opportunities for economies of scale. Supermarkets usually offer products at relatively low prices by using their buying power to buy goods from manufacturers at lower prices than smaller stores can.
Can you use cash in the Iceland supermarket? ›
Most shops in Iceland, no matter how small, accept debit and credit cards as payment. There is almost no need to bring cash on your trip to Iceland. Some tour companies accept payment in cash only, but you can inquire about that before your arrival.
Are things closed on Sunday in Reykjavik? ›
Business hours: when are shops open? Most shops in Iceland are open between 09:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday, and between 10:00 and 16:00 on Saturdays. Many shops are closed on Sundays with exception of shopping malls in Reykjavik and some shops on the capital's downtown streets.
Is food expensive in Iceland? ›
Conclusion. Food prices in Iceland are high in international comparison and if you want to save money on food in Iceland it can pay off to look for the cheapest stores, Bónus and Krónan rather than e.g. Heimkaup, Hagkaup, Nettó and Krambúðin.
Does Iceland have self-checkout? ›
While self-checkout is now a common occurrence among retailers all over Iceland, the first successful self-checkout was implemented as late as 2018.
What are the big Iceland stores called? ›
The Food Warehouse is one of the fastest growing British Supermarkets*. Part of the Iceland Foods Group, The Food Warehouse offers customers and local businesses a simpler way to shop for great value and great quality products.
What is hagkaup? ›
Hagkaup (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈhaːɣˌkʰœyːp]) is an Icelandic hypermarket chain owned by retail company Hagar.
Crossgates Commons
| Inside of Walmart at Crossgates Commons, the largest Walmart in the United States |
|---|
| Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap |
|---|
| Location | Albany, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°41′49″N 73°50′51″W |
| Opening date | 1994 |
3 more rowsOn the other hand, a grocery store tends to be more focused on food and produce, often smaller in size, and might not carry the same extensive range of non-food items. Essentially, supermarkets are like a one-size-fits-all store, while grocery stores are more specialized.
How does the supermarket system work? ›
The supermarket sources products from suppliers and then sells those products to customers. The supermarket adds value by providing a convenient location for customers to shop, by offering a wide variety of products, and by providing competitive prices. The supermarket model can be used in a number of different ways.
What is the difference between a hypermarket and a supermarket? ›
Supermarkets are larger when compared to convenience stores and department stores; the larger the space, the more range of products. Hypermarkets are much larger than supermarkets, as they have a wider range of products, and also have cafes, spas, restaurants, and more.
What are the four big supermarkets? ›
Grocery sales in the UK are dominated by Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons. These are known as the Big Four supermarkets. Whenever one of these companies publishes any significant financial updates, the national media gives it heavy coverage. This is because of the impact it might have on the supply chain network.
What retail chains are in Iceland? ›
Some of the biggest retail chains in Iceland include Bónus, Netto, and Hagkaup, which offer groceries, household items, and clothing, among other things. Other popular retail stores in Iceland include Ikea, H&M, and Zara, which offer furniture, clothing, and accessories.
Why are groceries so expensive in Iceland? ›
This means that much of the food you will encounter in Iceland will have been either grown in greenhouses or imported from other countries, such as Germany, Norway, the U.S. and the UK. Naturally, the high costs and tariffs that are associated with this are passed on to the consumer.
