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Daily Shopping

Grocery bags

Learning about where you can buy your daily essentials can be an important part of settling in and feeling at home.

Once you have started to adjust to your new life in the Netherlands, learning about where you can buy your daily essentials can be an important part of settling in and feeling at home - whether this means discovering your local supermarkets or markets, exploring vintage stores, or learning about the best online shops to use in the Netherlands. 

If you haven't yet set up your Dutch bank account, then it's also necessary to keep in mind that not all stores in the Netherlands may accept your foreign bank card and that some stores will no longer accept cash. Make sure to do your research beforehand if you are planning on a big grocery haul, because even the popular supermarkets may reject your VISA card (although they will accept cash). 

Popular Dutch Supermarkets

  • Albert Heijn

    Albert Heijn

    One of the most well-known supermarkets in the Netherlands, Albert Heijn (or Appie as the Dutch may sometimes refer to it), has more than 1000 stores across the Netherlands and Belgium. Although a little pricier than other competitors such as Lidl and Aldi, Albert Heijn has a wider range of available products in its stores - especially useful if you have any dietary preferences or intolerances. 

  • Jumbo

    Jumbo

    Another popular supermarket, often viewed as the biggest competitor to Albert Heijn in the Netherlands, is Jumbo. With more than 700 stores across the Netherlands and Belgium, Jumbo offers a wide range of products that are priced competitively against Albert Heijn's products. Due to this, there are many products in Jumbo that may be marginally cheaper than in Albert Heijn, although this is not always the case. 

  • Lidl

    Lidl

    Originating in Germany, Lidl has stores in more than 32 countries nowadays, and is known for being an affordable supermarket option. It also has an excellent selection of fresh and quality produce, and many Lidl stores have good bakeries. 

  • Plus

    Plus

    Plus is another common supermarket chain in the Netherlands, and, with more than 500 stores, is one of the largest chains in the Netherlands after Albert Heijn and Jumbo. Plus is known for being affordable and has a good variety of products on offer.

  • Aldi

    Aldi

    Much like Lidl, Aldi is a supermarket chain that originates from Germany. It is an excellent choice for affordable products, and stocks a wide range of produce and items.

  • Hoogvliet

    Hoogvliet

    Another Dutch supermarket, Hoogvliet offers a range of products and is considered to be one of the more affordable supermarkets. Although there are not as many branches of Hoogvliet as there are of other supermarket chains, you can nevertheless find more than 70 Hoogvliet stores throughout the Netherlands.

  • Dirk

    Dirk

    Formerly known as 'Dirk van den Broek', this supermarket chains has more than 130 stores throughout the country. With its stores known for their affordability, the chain also distributes weekly brochures detailing its best current offers for its customers.

Other Essential Shops

Although Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Lidl are amongst the more common supermarkets found in the Netherlands, there are a number of other specialised supermarkets that offer products you might not be able to find otherwise. For instance, Ekoplaza is an organic store that stocks numerous health foods and beauty products. Ekoplaza is also a good option for those with dietary preferences and/or intolerances, providing a range of gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, and nut-free alternatives. 

Amazing Oriental is another excellent option if you are looking for ingredients that may be hard to come by in the Netherlands. With stores throughout the Netherlands, Amazing Oriental offers a selection of foods frequently used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Fruits and vegetables

Vintage & Second-hand Stores

Although they may not be as ubiquitous to the Netherlands as they are in some other countries, there are nevertheless a wide variety of different vintage stores and charity shops to be found throughout the Netherlands. Many of these stores focus on accessories, smaller household items, and clothing, but there are some that have sections devoted to furniture as well - so you may be able to finally get your hands on some unique items to make your new place feel like home. Some vintage stores will also do 'kilo sales', which allows you to browse their clothing items and buy based on the weight of the clothes as opposed to based on individual pieces, and these sales can be the perfect opportunity to spruce up your wardrobe and be environmentally friendly in the process. Another cost savvy and sustainable way to purchase or sell unwanted items is to use Marktplaats.

Weekly Markets

In addition to the supermarkets, most cities and towns have their own regular weekly markets. In the Leiden region, there are weekly markets in which you can buy locally grown produce and many handmade or vintage items from the vendors. These markets are not only an excellent chance to get to know your new municipality, but they also offer you the opportunity to support local business owners and farmers.

Some Leiden region weekly markets include

  • Market in Leiden

    Market in Leiden

    Biweekly street market along the Nieuwe Rijn waterway.

    weekly

  • Market in Leiderdorp

    Market in Leiderdorp

    Every Thursday, the market vendors are ready for you at the market in Leiderdorp.

    weekly

  • Market in Voorschoten

    Market in Voorschoten

    Those who visit Voorschoten will certainly notice the joyous atmosphere that is almost tangible in the town centre...

    weekly

  • Market in Zoeterwoude

    Market in Zoeterwoude

    Every Thursday afternoon, there is a small-scale weekly market in Zoeterwoude.

    weekly

Other Essential Shops

More Information about Living in the Netherlands

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