Is there a feeling that embeds itself more profoundly and instantly into the British psyche than the initial moment you step inside a French supermarket?
I suspect I shall never forget the exhilarating scent of various chilled meats, strolling down an aisle of entirely unknown cereals, or discovering that you can purchase small fireworks and approximately 400 varieties of drink syrup in a single establishment.
Supermarket shopping overseas has become a significant phenomenon on social media, with over 50 million posts relating to ‘grocery store travel’ on TikTok.
It brims with travellers showcasing their discoveries and commenting on how different everyday items are abroad. Last year, travel behemoth Expedia recognised “supermarket tourism” or “Goods Getaways” as a major trend for 2025.
The company forecast that more travellers, particularly Gen Z, would explore foreign supermarkets to discover unique products that have become viral on social media.
Sherry Martin Peters, a flight attendant and founder of Atlas + Wild, has enthusiastically explored different supermarkets throughout her extensive career of globe-trotting across the world.
“Tourists seek landmarks and magnets for souvenirs. Flight attendants seek out grocery stores. We know which Lisbon supermarkets stock sangria worthy of wrapping inside a shoe, which Korean store to stock up on collagen face masks, which French markets sell lavender honey that doubles as a sleep remedy, and which South African shelves hold rooibos tea rich enough to taste like rest,” she told the Mirror. “Fresh Italian pasta. Salted butter from France. Brazilian mate is packed between uniforms. Lisbon sardines in artful tins. These aren’t novelty purchases – they are edible memories, our way of claiming a place as lived, not just passed through. If you ever were to peek inside a flight attendant’s pantry, it’d look like an international grocery store. And that gives us comfort.”
Sherry has revealed her top overseas supermarkets whilst travelling internationally, along with her favourite purchases from each.
“Some of this may be found in specialty stores in the U.S. but we are buying the same at dirt cheap prices,” she observes.
Have you got any international supermarket essentials or guidance for shopping whilst overseas? We would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact webtravel@reachplc.com
Italy: Carrefour, Coop, and Esselunga
- One litre bottle of “rustic unfiltered” olive oil by Carapelli
- Any Italian red wine that’s about 7-10 euros – they are all fantastic
- Fresh hand-cut pasta from Maffei or from a local pasta shop
- Tomato paste by Tuscanini or Mutti
- Canned tomatoes and tomato sauce by Cento, La Fiammante, Divella and Mutti
- Fresh chunks of Parmesan for grating
France: Monoprix
- Bordier Butter, or Grand Fermage Sel de Mer (sea salt butter) is a cult product
- Lulu Barquettes boat cookies
- St Michel Original Madeleines
- Fleur de Sel gray sea salt
- Duck Confit Reflets De France (duck in a can)
- Torres Truffle potato chips
- Pringles (taste better than in the US)
Portugal: El Corte Inglés and Continente
- Dom Simon sangria (actually from Spain) and cinnamon sticks to marinate it in
- Local wines like Vino Verde, but use the Vivino app to look for ratings to try new ones
- Fresh pastéis de nata (custard tarts Portugal is famous for) from the bakery
- Grand Fermage Sel de Mer butter (French)