Best Deals and Discounts: Grocery Stores in Slovenia

Shopping is an important part of our lives, especially when it comes to buying everyday and necessary goods. Depending on their needs and preferences, Slovenians shop in supermarkets, small grocery stores and traditional markets.

Many people prefer to do their main shopping in hypermarkets and supermarkets such as Mercator, Spar, Hofer, Tuš, Eurospin and Lidl. because of their wide range of products and affordable prices. 

Supermarket or hypermarket: what is the difference?

Shopping chains often include both supermarkets and hypermarkets. The former are usually smaller and located closer to residential areas, and offer a range of goods centred on food, essentials and basic household chemicals.

In contrast, the latter are much larger and offer not only groceries but also a wide range of clothing, appliances, furniture and other goods. They are often located on the outskirts of cities or in large shopping centres.

Supermarkets are suitable for quicker and more regular purchases, while hypermarkets are convenient for large-scale purchases over a long period. As a rule, their prices are lower, there are more promotions and special offers, and the list of additional services is wider.

Why it is important to choose the right shop for shopping

The user experience depends on choosing the right place to shop. Reliable shops offer certified products, lucrative discounts and a wide range of products, minimising the efforts of shoppers. Considering the realities, having an online shop is an important advantage.

Good service, payment security and a focus on sustainability make shopping enjoyable and safe. And, of course, reputation matters. As a rule, trusted places with positive reviews are more trustworthy.

How supermarkets help you save money

• Regular promotions, wholesale offers and special prices.
• Loyalty programmes, where customers receive discounts, bonuses or cash back with every purchase.
• Private label ranges, which are usually cheaper than well-known brands, but are not inferior in quality.
• Digital vouchers, exclusive discounts and recommendations based on previous purchases. 
• Additional savings can be made by buying seasonal products and products with an expiry date.

Leading retail chains in Slovenia

There are several major supermarket chains in Slovenia, each with its own characteristics in terms of store format, loyalty programmes and regular promotions.

Mercator: the best selection of products for all occasions

Mercator is the largest retail chain in Slovenia with a market share of around 30%. The range includes basic food basket, household goods, appliances and much more. Online shop Mercator allows customers to shop from the comfort of their own home.

The chain actively attracts shoppers with promotions such as 'Hit of the Day' - temporary discounts on popular items, seasonal offers and sales.

The Pika loyalty programme offers four types of card, from temporary to gold, to meet different needs. Members receive bonuses, personalised discounts and hire purchase.

Spar: favourable shopping for the whole family

Spar has more than a hundred stores in different formats and offers thousands of food and non-food articles, including a wide range of fresh produce, textiles, appliances and household items. And the Spar shop gives you the opportunity to buy and receive any goods as soon as possible.

The company offers a range of promotions, including weekly discounts. Customers can also save up to 25% by using the Spar coupon. Before holidays and during seasonal periods, the chain runs special promotions on gifts and current products. Regular discounts are available on more than 2,400 products, which, combined with Budget's range, make everyday items affordable.

The Spar Plus loyalty programme offers discounts and rewards, access to personalised offers, benefits for pensioners and students, and the availability of additional barcodes allows the whole family to accumulate bonuses and receive greater benefits.

Hofer: high quality at an affordable price

Hofer is a well-known discount retailer.  The chain's stores are relatively compact, with a logical and simple product layout and good transport links. The retailer focuses on food and basic necessities. This is supplemented every week by current products such as sports and leisure accessories, gardening equipment, tools, textiles, children's goods and others. A significant proportion of the products are private label, which guarantees low prices and good quality.

There is no classic loyalty programme, but this is more than compensated for by weekly discounts of up to 30% on the range, which are advertised in Hofer flyers. The 'Phenomenal Weekend' promotion is also popular, with special discounts on Friday and Saturday. The total cheque is therefore lower than that of its competitors.

Lidl: Europe's discount leader

Lidl is another discounter with a food and beverage section as well as a household chemicals, cosmetics and convenience section. It also sells seasonal clothing, household goods, sports equipment, plants and small household electrical appliances on a weekly basis. As in the previous store, a large proportion of the products are private label, which has a positive effect on prices.

The retailer runs various promotions every day, including discounts on all product categories and themed grocery weeks with specific products from different countries. 

The loyalty programme via the Lidl Plus app gives access to exclusive discounts, coupons and offers, including benefits for pensioners. Users often receive a lottery ticket with the chance to win additional discounts and gifts.

Tuš: a local approach with global standards

Tuš is a Slovenian chain offering a wide range of products and services. The assortment of the chain's shops varies according to their format, and special attention is paid to local products.

Tuš shops regularly run seasonal and holiday promotions, sales and giveaways, and of course there are weekly discounts. There is also the 'Trajno znižano' promotion with more than 500 products at a reduced price.

The Tuš Loyalty Programme offers access to special offers, promotions and discounts, as well as partner services at reduced prices. There is a special Senior Tuš Club for pensioners, and with the Diners Club Tuš IN card you can pay for your purchases in instalments and manage your budget.

Eurospin: the ideal place for bargain shopping

Eurospin grocery is an Italian discount supermarket chain.  It is popular with those looking for affordable goods and has a lot of positive customer reviews. The only drawback is that the Eurospin online shop is not yet available.

Weekly Eurospin catalogues offer discounts on a wide range of products, with a focus on food, drinks, clothing and household goods. The low-cost food basket is complemented by bargains on leisure equipment, decoration, appliances and tools, kitchen gadgets and car accessories. On important dates for the company, customers can take advantage of additional discounts and receive gifts at entertainment events.

Where is the best place to shop?

The best place to shop depends on your preferences and shopping habits. If you are looking for low prices and good value for money, with regular discounts and promotions, Hofer and Lidl will suit you. If you want a wide range of premium and speciality products, combined with loyalty programmes, visit Mercator and Spar.  For shoppers in smaller towns and those looking for local products, Tuš is the place to be. And last but not least, Eurospin for those looking for maximum savings.

How to save money and find the best deals: Top 10 tips

• Don't ignore weekly catalogs and browse current flyers.
• Plan ahead to avoid impulse buying.
• Shop at discount stores, they offer basic items at a lower price than other chains.
• Keep an eye out for sales and promotions - there are real bargains to be had. Don't forget about food price comparison.
• Take advantage of loyalty schemes, especially if you shop at the same place all the time.
• Look for own-label products, which are also of high quality but cost less.
• Visit shops on specific days and on the first day of promotions.
• Choose seasonal and local produce. They tend to be cheaper and tastier.
• Avoid shopping during rush hours - it's an extra time commitment.
• Use apps and websites that can help you organise your shopping. For example, it's easy to do this on Geobuyer, and as a bonus there's a themed blog with useful information and tips.