Prague groceries: what a weekly shop costs, and how to price your own

Ask ten expats what a weekly shop costs and you will get eleven numbers, each from a different supermarket, a different diet and a different month. We will not add a twelfth. A number printed here would be wrong by the time you read it, and it would not know whether you eat meat, bake your own bread or buy oat milk by the case. What does last is the method, and Prague makes it easy because the price data is on the shelf.

Read the shelf label properly

Czech shops show two prices: the price of the pack and the price per unit, usually per kilo or per litre (cena za kg or za l). Czech price law, which implements EU rules, requires the unit price, so it should be there on the label. The unit price is the one to compare. A bigger pack is not always cheaper per kilo, and the "promo" sign is not always a bargain. The Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) supervises price labelling, so check its site for the exact rules or to report a missing label. The State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) deals with food quality and labelling.

Prices in shops include VAT, so the number on the shelf is the number you pay. Returnable glass bottles carry a deposit that you get back at the shop.

Know the chains

Prague's supermarket scene is built on a few long-established chains, and each has a character.

• Albert, Billa, Tesco and Globus are full-range supermarkets with fresh counters and bakeries.
• Lidl, Kaufland and Penny lean towards discount and own brands. Kaufland and Lidl have many own-label goods.
• Žabka and small neighbourhood shops are convenience stores: handy, but their prices are usually higher for the same item.
• Rohlik.cz and other delivery services bring a basket to your door, which helps when you have no car and a long list.
• City markets and farmers' markets sell fresh fruit and vegetables, with prices that vary by stall.

Opening hours vary, and the large shops may close on certain public holidays. Check the chain's own site before an important shop.

Build a basket you actually eat

Walk into two supermarkets with the list and write down the unit price of each item, not the pack price. Add the totals. Do the same a month later and you have your own price index, which is more useful than anyone's average.

If you want official context rather than anecdotes, the Czech Statistical Office publishes consumer price data, including average prices for selected foods. Use it to test a claim, not to build your budget, because your basket is not the average.

Where the savings really are

Own brands. The supermarket's own label is often cheaper than the branded equivalent. Try a pack and see.

Leaflets and apps. Most chains publish weekly offers and run loyalty cards or apps. Check the offers before you plan meals, and plan around what is cheap this week.

Fresh versus packaged. Seasonal vegetables from a market or the supermarket's loose counter are usually cheaper per kilo than pre-washed bags.

Evening reductions. Some shops mark down items that are close to their date near closing time. It varies by store.

Bulk and freezer. Meat and bread freeze well.

Where you shop. A small shop on a tourist street charges for the location. Walk two blocks.

What a weekly shop looks like for different people

We will not guess amounts, but we can describe the shapes. A single person who cooks most evenings spends mostly on fresh food and staples. A couple who often eat out spends less on groceries but more on eating out. A family adds school lunches, snacks and larger packs, which makes own brands and weekly offers more valuable. Whoever you are, place your result next to the other lines in your budget with our guide to how much money you need to live in Prague.

Habits that raise the bill

Shopping hungry. Buying in a convenience store because it is next to the tram. Going to a hypermarket without a list. Throwing out food you never planned to cook.

If you rent your first flat, check what the kitchen includes before you buy cookware, since first-month costs add up. And note that a farmers' market is a pleasure, not necessarily a saving, so treat it as a treat.

Shops, habits and special diets

Beyond the supermarket, Prague has a long tradition of bakeries, butchers and delicatessen counters (lahůdky) where you buy bread, cheese, sausages and ready-made salads by weight. These are handy for a quick lunch, but price them per 100 grams before you order, because small amounts add up.

If you follow a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diet, large supermarkets and organic shops stock a good range, and labels emphasise allergens, as EU rules require. Specialist international shops sell ingredients for particular cuisines, usually at higher prices than the supermarket staples, so treat them as a top-up.

Plan around the calendar too. Fruit and vegetables cost least in season, frozen vegetables are a sound winter fallback, and a supermarket bakery loaf is often cheaper per kilo than the packaged kind. Check the unit price to be sure.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a weekly shop in Prague?

It depends on your diet, household size and where you shop. Price your own basket in two chains and compare.

Which supermarket is cheapest?

It varies by item and week. Discount chains and own brands tend to be cheaper, but compare unit prices on your own list.

Do prices include VAT?

Yes. The shelf price is the price you pay.

Can I shop on Sundays?

Many shops open on Sundays, though some large ones close on certain public holidays. Check the chain's site.

Where do I find official food price data?

The Czech Statistical Office publishes consumer price data on czso.cz.

Today: take your usual shopping list, and photograph the unit price of each item at the supermarket nearest your door.