My last post included an extensive list of grocery prices in Warsaw from the Carrefour supermarket chain, one of the largest in Poland. As a point of comparison I made a trip to Tesco last week, a British chain that has established its warehouse-style stores in Poland, which consist of not only groceries, but clothing and household appliances, comparable to Target in the U.S., but with a better selection of food, including fresh produce.
Apple sauce (720g): 4.59zł [$1.39]
Bananas (1kg): 4.49zł [$1.36]
Beer, Budweiser (Czech not US, 500ml bottle): 3.89zł [$1.18]
Beer, Ciechan Hefeweizen (500 ml bottle): 4.69zł [$1.42]
Beer, Ciechan Wyborne (500ml bottle): 3.49 zł [$1.06]
Beer, Żywiec (4x500ml cans): 10.99zł [$3.33]
Beets (5kg): 0.99zł (sale price, regularly 3.99zł) [$0.30]
Bell Pepper, red (1kg): 4.99zł [$1.51]
Broccoli (1kg): 2.49zł [$0.76]
Carp (live fish, 1kg): 12.99zł [$3.94]
Carrots (1kg): 1.19zł [$0.36]
Chicken breasts (1kg): 15.49zł [$4.70]
Chicken hearts (1kg): 6.49zł [$1.97]
Cod (1kg): 27.99zł [$8.49]
Coffee, instant, Jacobs/Maxwell (200g): 14.99zł [$4.55]
Condoms, Durex Performax Intense (10-pack): 39.99zł [$12.13]
Condoms, Durex Real Feel (10-pack): 32.99zł
Cookies, Delicje (147g): 2.99 zł
Duck, Peking leg (500g): 10zł
Eggs (20-count_: 8.55zł
Halibut (1kg): 23.99zł
Honey (1kg): 24.99zł
Juice: 3.99zł
Kasza (buckwheat, 4x100g packets): 1.49zł
Kidney beans (425ml can): 3.89zł
Kidney beans (500g bag): 3.99zł
Laundry detergent, Vizir (5.6kg): 41.99zł (sale price, regularly 79.99zł)
Milk (2%, 1 liter): 2.59zł
Milk (3.2%, 1 liter): 2.69zł
Onions, red (1kg): 3.99zł
Onions, white (1kg): 1.99zł
Oranges (1kg): 4.99zł
Orange Juice, Tymbark (1 liter): 3.99zł
Pierogi with meat (potato dumplings, 500g): 6.99zł
Pierogi with cheese and blueberries (400g): 4.49zł
Pizza with ham (1kg): 7.89zł
Potatoes (1kg): 3.49zł
Salmon filet (1kg): 45.99zł
Soy milk (1 liter): 8.29zł
Tomatoes (1kg): 4.99zł
Toothpaste, Colgate (2x75ml tubes): 9zł
Turkey steaks (400g): 10.99zł
Vodka, Luksusowa (Potato vodka, 700ml): 29.99zł
Vodka, Smirnoff (700ml): 32.99zł
Vodka, Żoładkowa (herb infused, my favorite, 700ml): 29.99zł
Whiskey, Jack Daniels (700ml): 74.99zł
Whisky, Ballantines (1 liter): 74.99zł
Whisky, Ballantines (12-year, 700ml): 99.99zł
Whisky, Chivas Regal (12-year, 700ml): 129zł
Whisky, Chivas Regal (18-year, 700ml): 235zł
Whisky, Glenfiddich (12-year, 700ml): 134zł
Whisky, Glenfiddich (15-year, 700ml): 174.99zł
Whisky, Glenlivet (12-year, 700ml): 149zł
Whisky, Glenlivet (15-year, 700ml): 179zł
Whisky, Johnny Walker Red (700ml): 48.99zł
Yogurt, drink (400ml): 2.59zł
Yogurt, Greek (400g): 1.79zł
Gravesite candles, popular among Poland’s Roman Catholic population, especially on All-Saints Day, November 1, when the graves of relatives are traditionally visited
I noticed that Tesco’s prices were generally lower than Carrefour, with some exceptions, though outside of deeply discounted sale items, the price difference isn’t dramatic enough to merit a weekly visit. If Tesco were located within walking distance, it would be my preferred place to shop, but to get there I have to take the metro which is close to half an hour each way and $3 for the roundtrip ticket. Tesco’s advantage appears to be the availability of bulk items (which makes prices more competitive) and the other household items that they have for sale. I may plan to make a monthly trip to Tesco to stock up on staples like rice, beans and beverages as well as occasional restocking of laundry detergent and toiletries.
Where you decide to shop will ultimately be a matter of convenience combined with price. Saving $5-10 per week may be important enough to go further out of your way to shop. Given Poland’s relatively low grocery prices compared to California, I prefer the convenience of Carrefour. There aren’t any large, warehouse chains like Costco in Poland, at least that I’m aware of. Should they appear it would be worth considering. The bottom line though, is that I recommend doing most of your shopping in large supermarket chains, over local shops. These may be fine for produce or occasional sale items, but you’ll get far better band for your buck out of stores with wider reach, and thus greater buying power and competitive prices.
