Shopping in Kelowna

This article will cover the grocery shopping geography in Kelowna area. Leading positions are taken by big box stores like Superstore, Save on Food, Wall Mart. These three have competing prices and variety of necessary items.
Recently all giants added ethnic food isle realizing that there is a market for it. Ethnic isle offers products from Asia, Europe, Middle East- a little bit from everywhere. Canada is a country of immigrants and there is a large untapped grocery market potential in the Interior BC. Just for example, I had a friend who took regular trips to Lower Mainland and loaded up his Mercedes with goodies from T&T Supermarket. He loves his noodles, alright!

Standing alone in a leading position is the monster Costco, a very popular warehouse. If Costco will open second store on the West side (West Kelowna) and a gas bar it might open even more opportunity for them, as Kelowna just keep growing every day.

Two steps behind big box stores follow health food stores that gain momentum in the last 5 years: Nature's Fare and Choices supermarket. Nature's Fare is more popular due to more flexible pricing policy and juice bar/ hot food counter. The store is very attractive for many people with busy lifestyle, as it offers ready healthy/vegan meals and snacks that can be picked up on a fly. Choices Kelowna probably has the same pricing policy as Lower Mainland stores, not taking into account Kelowna "sunshine tax". That alone costing them lost opportunity.

Specialized stores take a special place on the market: T Bones, Quality Greens, BC Tree fruit market, Oriental Supermarket, Sun Asia market, East Indian Spice land. T Bones specialize in meat products- from freshly cut steaks to ready to eat meat pies. Prices are reasonable. Quality Greens specialize on vegetables, fruit, dairy products and anything local. BC Tree fruit market is open year around and known for fruit (local and super fresh, without big store markup). Oriental Supermarket offers various products from different sides of Asia-prices are significantly higher than T&T supermarket. East Indian spice land has abundant variety of spices, basmati rice, hair care for reasonable price.
​There is also a Mediterranean Market and Illichman's that served community for a while and proved to be efficient addressing market trends/demands.

Three steps behind are Safeway and Nester's market. They are not as popular due to rigid pricing policy and lack of market research.