GROCERY SHOPPING IN THE NETHERLANDS: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

When moving to a new country, there’s a lot to get used to. Like different layouts in grocery stores, or shops not stocking your favourite snacks from back home. However, it can also be very exciting to try out all the new products and explore all the aisles with unknown goods. Are you moving to The Netherlands and want to know what to expect on your first shopping trip? In this article, we’ll tell you all about it.

Dutch supermarkets: does size matter?

If you’re coming from areas like North America, Canada or Australia, the size of Dutch supermarkets might surprise you. In both very rural and urban environments, the supermarkets tend to be quite compact. But don’t worry: the space they do have is used very efficiently, meaning you’ll still be able to find most of the things you need.

Between different supermarket chains, the products might vary. Haven’t found what you’re looking for? It’s worth to give another nearby supermarket a try, as they might have the products you’ve been searching for. There’s also bigger supermarkets that you can often find in more suburban areas.

No grocery store nearby?

If there’s no grocery store nearby, or you just don’t have the time to go visit one yourself, there are lots of options to get groceries delivered to your house. For example, if you search for grocery delivery in Amsterdam, you’ll find a variety of options. At some, you’ll have to order a couple of days ahead. At others, they could be at your door within an hour after placing your order!

Opening hours

Want to know when you can visit a Dutch grocery store? Opening hours are mostly pretty similar. Most stores will open early in the morning (around 7:00 or 8:00) and close later on in the evening, often at 21:00 or 22:00.

Grocery shops in more rural areas might close a little bit earlier, often shutting down around 18:00. In these environments, it’s also normal for grocery stores to have even more limited opening hours or to not open at all on Sundays and certain holidays.

Good to know

As an expat, there’s a couple of things you might not expect when first shopping at your local grocery store. Here’s a few examples that are good to keep in mind:

• You have to pay for a plastic bag. This is often between 50 cents and 1 euro, but this can still add up overtime. This is why a lot of Dutch people bring their own reusable bags.
• You might not be able to pay with credit card. This is not the case for all grocery stores, but some still do not accept (foreign) credit cards. For these places, you’ll need cash or a Dutch bank account.
• There’s no liquor in Dutch grocery stores. You can find wine, beer and other low-percentage alcoholic drinks, but if you are looking for something stronger, you’ll have to visit a liquor store.
• You can (and should) return your plastic bottles. Most of the bottles you buy at a Dutch supermarket can be returned, and you can even earn some money back from it. A perk for your wallet, and the environment!

New experiences

While visiting Dutch supermarkets can be confusing at first, you’ll quickly get the hang of how things work. Make sure to look up the opening times near you and explore the aisles to see if they have all the products you’re looking for. You’ll be a regular shopper in no time!