Introduction: why supermarket choice matters in Italy
Choosing the right supermarket in Italy can significantly impact your monthly grocery bill, the quality of fresh produce you bring home, and your daily convenience. Whether you’re an expat navigating Italian grocery culture or an Italian shopper looking to optimize, knowing which chains deliver value, service, and reach is vital. Italy offers a variety of supermarket models: full-service hypermarkets, mid-tier chains, discount players, local stores, and niche organic shops. In recent years, online shopping and home delivery have become more prevalent, making it essential to understand delivery options and loyalty programs. In this article, we’ll guide you through the best supermarkets in Italy, discount chains, store cards, and how to shop online or get groceries delivered—all so you can eat well while spending wisely.
Best Supermarkets in Italy: overview and criteria
To determine what “best” means when it comes to supermarkets in Italy, we look at several factors:
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Price competitiveness and discounts — how affordable is the basket of goods?
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Selection and variety — presence of fresh produce, imported goods, specialty items
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Quality and freshness — especially for perishables like fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy
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Coverage and convenience — presence across many regions, proximity, number of branches
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Customer experience — cleanliness, staff, layout, ease of checkout
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Online & delivery options — whether you can order online and get home delivery
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Loyalty programs — store cards, points, coupons, personalized offers
Using these metrics, we examine top national chains, discount supermarkets, regional players, and more.
Large national chains: Esselunga, Coop, Conad, and more
Esselunga
A flagship among Italian supermarkets, particularly in northern and central Italy, Esselunga is known for its well-curated stores, quality fresh goods, and efficient service. They offer premier brands and a decent selection of organic and imported items. The Esselunga Fidaty card gives points which can be redeemed for discounts or goods. In many cities, Esselunga supports home delivery via its website/app.
Coop
Coop is a cooperative chain found widely across Italy. One advantage is its cooperative model: members often get discounts and dividends back based on spending. Coop stores often carry a strong selection of regional foods, organic lines under the “Sapori & Dintorni” brand, and sustainable goods. The Carta Socio Coop is a membership card that allows access to member-only sales and cash-back. Many Coop branches also provide online order and delivery services.
Conad
Conad is another large chain that operates via regional cooperatives. It has strong presence across central and southern Italy. Conad stores vary in size from supermarket to hypermarket. Conad’s Carta Insieme (plus other regional card variants) gives discounts and advantages. Many Conad branches now allow online ordering or partnerships with local delivery platforms.
Others: Carrefour, Iper, Pam, Bennet
Carrefour is a major international player with hypermarkets (Carrefour Iper), supermarkets (Carrefour Market), and express formats. Their Carrefour Card or My Carrefour programs permit discounts and offers.
Pam is a traditional supermarket chain found especially in northern Italy.
Bennet is a hypermarket chain with large stores in Lombardy and nearby, offering wide selection, big weekly discounts, and sometimes online shopping.
These national chains balance scale and service, often offering both value and reach.
Discount chains: Lidl, Aldi, Eurospin, Penny Market
Discount supermarkets in Italy strive to offer essential goods at low cost. They tend to carry fewer brands, focus on private labels, and maintain lean operating costs.
Lidl
Lidl is one of the most successful discount chains in Italy. It combines low prices with occasional special weekly “Lidl Plus” promotions and themed food weeks (e.g. “Settimana Tedesca”). Its Lidl Plus app and card allow for digital coupons and cashback. Lidl also offers private label lines that rival name brands in quality. Some larger Lidl stores participate in home delivery or “click & collect”.
Aldi
Less widespread than Lidl in Italy, Aldi operates in selective markets but offers deep discounts and a no-frills shopping experience. Their product line is typically compact but hits staple categories well.
Eurospin
Eurospin is an Italian discount chain with a strong presence in many regions. It emphasizes discount — stripped down stores, limited staffing, lower overhead. The quality can surprise, especially with its private-label lines. Eurospin occasionally issues flyers with very sharp deals.
Penny Market
Penny Market (part of the Rewe Group) offers discount retailing throughout Italy. They aim for consistent low pricing, with a mix of local and private label goods.
Among discount chains, choices may seem limited, but the lower margins often translate into real savings—especially for staples, canned goods, some dairy, and frozen items.
Regional favorites and local chains
Italy’s regions often have local supermarket chains beloved by residents. Examples:
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Coop Sicilia — in Sicily, with strong local produce
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Sisa — active in central Italy
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Despar / Eurospesa — in parts of northern Italy and islands
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Tigros — in Lombardy
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Il Gigante — in Lombardy and parts of Piedmont
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Pam Panorama in Tuscany
These chains may be smaller but often tailor assortments to local tastes, regional specialties, and they sometimes provide better service or local product lines than national chains in those areas.
Membership cards and store loyalty programs
Loyalty programs are a core tool for supermarkets to retain customers. Here’s how they generally operate in Italy:
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Points accrual: you earn points per euro spent (e.g. 1 point per €1). After threshold, points become vouchers or discounts.
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Tier benefits: upper tiers may get free delivery, special offers, or priority service.
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Coupons or flyers: cardholders receive personalized digital coupons for goods they frequently buy.
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Dividends or cash-back: in cooperatives like Coop, members may receive a share of profits based on spending.
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Card-based discounts: certain items are cheaper for cardholders.
Examples:
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Esselunga Fidaty — collect points and redeem them for goods or gift cards.
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Coop Carta Socio — coop members get additional discounts, sometimes dividends.
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Carrefour Card / My Carrefour — access to personalized deals & promotions.
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Tessera Sconto Conad (Carta Insieme) — discounted prices on selected items.
Always carry your loyalty card or use the app while shopping: you’ll often uncover deals invisible to non-members.
Online shopping and e-commerce strategies
Italian supermarkets have gradually expanded online offerings. Here’s what to expect:
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Apps and websites: major chains provide dedicated apps for browsing the catalogue, placing orders, and applying coupons.
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Click & collect / pick-up: allow you to shop online and only collect in-store at a scheduled time.
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Dark stores: smaller, warehouse-only stores fulfilling online demand (less common but growing).
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Third-party partners: chains often partner with delivery platforms like Glovo, Deliveroo, or local couriers to extend reach beyond typical regions.
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Inventory sync and real-time stock: some apps show whether items are in stock in your local store before you order.
Examples:
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Esselunga’s site allows home delivery in covered areas.
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Coop’s app offers ordering and home delivery in many cities.
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Carrefour Italy offers click & collect and delivery in many locations.
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In smaller towns, supermarkets sometimes partner with local delivery services to fulfill online orders.
One limitation: shipping fresh goods (produce, meat, fish) incurs additional packaging and logistical complexity, so not all chains deliver those universally.
Home delivery: what’s available and cost considerations
Home delivery is increasingly common, but conditions vary:
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Minimum order values: many chains require a threshold (e.g. €30–€50) to deliver.
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Delivery fees: often €3–€7 depending on distance, time slot, or free delivery for loyalty card holders.
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Time slots: discrete windows (e.g. 2-hour blocks in morning/afternoon/evening).
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Freshness guarantees: some chains offer refunds or replacements if perishable goods arrive spoiled.
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Packaging: insulated boxes, gel packs, recyclable materials.
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Subregions: delivery may only be available in city areas, not rural addresses.
For example, Esselunga offers delivery in its operational zones; Coop might offer it in urban cores; discount chains are more limited in this function.
Supermarket pick-up and drive-through options
Pick-up or drive-through options let you avoid entering the store:
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Reserve online, pick up in a time window
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Drive-through lockers: the store loads your car
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Shopping in advance, with staff packing your list
This hybrid approach is ideal when delivery is unavailable or too expensive but you still want convenience.
How to choose a supermarket in your local area
Here are criteria to guide your choice:
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Proximity: nearer stores reduce transport time and cost.
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Weekly offerings: check the weekly flyer; see what sells well where.
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Loyalty advantages: see which card gives you better returns locally.
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Product specialization: maybe one store has a better butcher, another excels in seafood.
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Online/delivery support: if you need delivery, prefer chains active in your zone.
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Hours and weekend service: some may operate later or on Sundays.
Try rotating between two nearby supermarkets and track your spending for a month. The one that gives better value (accounting in discounts, quality, time) becomes your go-to.
How discount chains keep costs low
Discount supermarkets survive on slim margins. They reduce costs by:
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Limited SKU count: fewer brands, focused range
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Private label dominance: store brands reduce cost and markup
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Lean staffing: fewer employees, more self-checkouts
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Barebones décor: no frills, lean design
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Efficient supply chain & centralized buying
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Bulk distribution and logistics optimization
As a shopper, you trade brand variety for consistent low prices. If you are flexible about brands, you can reap big savings.
Quality, freshness, and food safety across chains
Quality is a concern especially with perishables. Some tips:
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Check labels and origin: many chains label whether produce is local or imported.
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Inspect packaging dates: for meat, fish, dairy — look at “Best Before” or “Use By.”
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Observe foot traffic: high turnover often means fresher shelves.
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Trust store reputation: premium chains often invest in cold chain and staff training.
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Use loyalty-program quality guarantees: some stores offer replacements or refunds for spoilt goods.
Even discount chains often maintain acceptable standards, though your margin for error is lower.
Opening hours, Sunday schedules, and holiday closures
Italian supermarkets typically follow these trends:
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Weekdays: 8:00–13:00 and 15:30–20:00 (pausa midday in some smaller ones)
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Supermarkets/hypermarkets: open continuously 8:00–20:00 or even 22:00
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Sunday: many open but with reduced hours (e.g. 9:00–13:00 / 17:00–20:00)
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Holidays: closed on major holidays (Christmas, Easter, 1 May) or limited hours
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Regional variation: in tourist zones, hours may be extended
Always check local store hours via app or web, especially during holidays and in smaller towns.
Payment methods, digital wallets, and contactless options
Modern Italian supermarkets accept:
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Cash (euro coins and notes)
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Debit cards / Bancomat
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Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro)
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Contactless payments (NFC, mobile)
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Prepaid gift cards / vouchers
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Store card / loyalty account payments (for part of purchase)
Some smaller stores may not take certain cards or contactless, but major chains support them universally. Online orders usually accept cards, PayPal, or other digital payment methods.
Organic, local, and niche sections in supermarkets
Many big supermarkets now dedicate aisles or sections to:
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Organic/biological products (“bio”)
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Zero waste (bulk dispensers)
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Local producers (origin-designated regional products)
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Gluten-free, vegan, allergy-friendly lines
For example, Coop’s Sapori & Dintorni line promotes local specialties. Esselunga often has a “Bio” section. Even discount chains are adding small organic subsets to satisfy demand.
Promotions, weekly offers, and catalogues
Supermarkets publish weekly (or bi-weekly) flyers with special offers. As a shopper:
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Collect the flyers or browse them digitally
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Use store apps to see cardholder-only promotions
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Stack discounts: e.g. use a coupon plus the offer
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Time purchases: major discounts often start midweek
Look for “3×2” (buy 3 pay for 2), “Sconto immediato” (instant discount), or “Sconto fedeltà”.
Comparing prices: tools, apps, sites
You can use comparison tools or apps that let you compare supermarket prices in your area:
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DoveConviene – shows catalogues and special offers
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Trovaprezzi / Idealo / Comparasemplici – compare individual item prices
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MyEsselunga, Coop app discounts – show local pricing in your store
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Local Facebook groups or WhatsApp broadcasts share deals
By checking these tools before shopping, you ensure you get the best local bargains.
Sustainability practices among supermarkets
Some supermarkets are stepping up:
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Reduced packaging or recyclable packaging
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Solar panels, LED lighting
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Food waste reduction: discounted “rescued” goods, donations
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Sustainable sourcing: fish, certified coffee, Fair Trade products
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Reusable bag incentives
Cooperative chains like Coop tend to lead in sustainability, with transparency and ethical sourcing programs.
Supermarkets vs smaller grocery shops
Large supermarkets offer scale, lower prices, and variety. Small local alimentari shops offer charm, convenience, and personalized service. Consider:
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Convenience vs cost
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Late hours / Sundays: small shops may stay open when chains don’t
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Specialty goods: butcher, bakery, deli with local flavors
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Delivery from local shop: sometimes possible in your immediate area
You may choose a supermarket for core shopping and local shops for top-ups or specialty items.
Shopping tips to save money and time
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Write a list and stick to it (avoid impulse buys)
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Shop after delivery times to find markdowns
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Use loyalty coupons and check app every shopping trip
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Buy in bulk the non-perishables
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Compare unit prices (€/kg or €/L)
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Visit discount chains for staples, and premium chains for specialty items
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Time shopping on weekdays (less crowd, better shelf stock)
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Rotate your supermarkets: use the one with better deals each week
Case studies: shopping in Milan, Rome, rural Tuscany
Milan
You’ll find a full presence of Esselunga, Carrefour, Coop, Lidl, Aldi, etc. Home delivery and click & collect are widely available. Esselunga and Carrefour cover large urban zones.
Rome
Carrefour, Conad, Coop are strong in Rome. In central zones, supermarkets are compact; in suburbs you’ll find hypermarkets. Delivery is more extensive in urban Rome.
Rural Tuscany
You may have just a couple of supermarkets in town (e.g. Coop, Conad, or local chains). Delivery may be limited. For discount shopping, you may travel to shop hubs in larger towns. Loyalty benefits and advertised flyers become even more crucial.
These examples show how geography shapes your supermarket experience.
Future trends: dark stores, automated delivery, drones
The supermarket industry is evolving in Italy:
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Dark stores / fulfillment centers: stores only for online order preparation
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Robotic order picking
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Autonomous delivery (drones, delivery robots) in pilot zones
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Subscription grocery boxes (weekly/monthly curated boxes)
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Integration with smart home and IoT (reordering via smart sensors)
These innovations aim to reduce delivery time, error, and cost.
Challenges and downsides
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Stockouts for heavily discounted items
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Queue times in peak hours
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Regional disparity: rural areas may lack chain presence
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Delivery limits or additional costs
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Loss of small shop culture
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Overwhelming choice or “paradox of too much”
Understanding these helps set realistic expectations.
Conclusion: what’s right for you in Italy
There’s no one “best” supermarket for everyone in Italy. The ideal choice depends on your location, shopping habits, and priorities (price vs quality vs convenience). Use discount chains for staples, national chains for wider options and quality goods. Take full advantage of loyalty programs and online delivery when possible. Mix supermarkets and local shops. Over time, you’ll tailor a routine that maximizes value, freshness, and ease.
FAQs about supermarkets in Italy
What is the best discount supermarket in Italy?
Lidl and Eurospin are often ranked among the top discount chains, with wide reach, consistent low pricing, and smart private labels. Your local region may have a standout discount chain as well.
Do Italian supermarkets deliver groceries to your home?
Yes, many large chains (Esselunga, Coop, Carrefour) offer home delivery in select zones, subject to order minimums and fees.
How do supermarket loyalty cards work in Italy?
You register (in store or via app), present your card/app at checkout, earn points or immediate discounts, and redeem rewards. In cooperatives, you might also get dividends.
Are weekly flyers still relevant in Italy?
Definitely. Supermarkets publish weekly offers in print and digital form. Checking flyers helps you plan purchases around deals.
Can I shop online from small towns?
It depends. Many chains only deliver in cities or suburban zones. In small towns, you might rely on click & collect, local delivery, or regional partners.
How much can I save using discount chains vs national chains?
Savings vary, but for staples you might see 15–30 % lower prices on discount chain private labels versus national brands at large chains. The difference narrows for specialty or fresh items.