The main supermarket chains in Mexico are Walmart, Superama, Soriana, Chedraui, and the Mega hypermarkets. There are also US-style membership stores such as Sam’s Club and Costco, and smaller economy supermarket formats like Bodega Aurrera and Sumesa.
Traditional Markets and Modern Shopping Options
Traditional fixed markets in Mexico are multiple-vendor markets permanently housed in a fixed location. They go by a variety of names such as “mercados públicos” (public markets), “mercados municipales” (municipal markets) or even more often simply “mercados” (markets). A tianguis is an open-air market or bazaar that is traditionally held on certain market days in a town or city neighborhood in Mexico and Central America.
For the most part, people buy wine, alcohol and beer in the large supermarkets. Convenience stores like OXXO also sell beer and limited amounts of alcohol although prices for alcohol are often more. Hypermarkets are large stores with a wide range of goods and a large parking lot, typically situated outside a town.
Online Shopping and Groceries
Online grocery shopping has gained significant popularity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people opting for home delivery or curbside pickup options.
When shopping at a Mexican grocery store, you’ll find that prices are much lower than you’d find at a typical U.S. grocery store. In addition to lower prices, the food is healthier and contains fewer preservatives than what you’ll find in the average grocery store in the U.S.