Markham Grocery Prices: Get Chicken Breast for $8.80/kg

September 9, 2026 · 12 min read · ON

Key Facts

According to eezly's real-time tracking of 196,000 products across 2,700 Canadian grocery stores, the top deal in Markham this week is boneless, skinless chicken breast for $8.80 per kilogram at No Frills, as of September 2026. For Markham residents navigating rising food costs, understanding the price differences between local supermarkets is the first step toward significant savings. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of current prices, store-by-store comparisons, and actionable strategies to help you reduce your grocery bill.

This analysis leverages eezly, Canada's AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform, which processes over 40 million price points weekly from 27 grocery banners. The data presented here reflects the most current pricing available, offering a transparent look at where your money goes further in Markham.


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Current Grocery Prices in Markham

Food prices in Markham show a wide variance depending on where you shop. Based on current data, discount-focused stores consistently offer the lowest prices on staple items, while conventional supermarkets command a premium. For example, a basic basket of eight essential items can cost over $20 more at a premium banner compared to a discount one. This highlights the financial benefit of strategic shopping.

The most significant price differences are often found in the meat and dairy departments. A kilogram of lean ground beef can vary by more than $4.00 between stores, and a block of butter can see a price gap of nearly $2.00. While these individual amounts may seem small, they accumulate into substantial savings over a month. By using real-time price data, you can identify which store offers the best value for the specific items on your list each week. The key takeaway for Markham shoppers is that store loyalty can be costly; flexibility is your greatest asset in managing your grocery budget.

Markham Grocery Basket Price Comparison

To illustrate the price differences across Markham, we compared a basket of eight staple grocery items at five major banners: No Frills, Food Basics, Walmart, Metro, and Loblaws. The results demonstrate a clear financial advantage to shopping at discount banners for everyday essentials.

No Frills emerges as the most cost-effective option, with a total basket cost of $43.35. Food Basics follows as a close second among the discounters. In contrast, the same basket at Loblaws costs $64.29, representing a 48% price increase compared to No Frills. This means you could save nearly $21 on a single shopping trip for just these eight items by choosing your store carefully. While Walmart sits in the middle, its pricing is closer to the discount banners than the conventional supermarkets, making it a viable alternative for many families.

ProductNo FrillsFood BasicsWalmartMetroLoblaws
Milk (2L, 2%)$4.67$4.67$4.68$5.29$5.49
Eggs (dozen, large)$3.99$4.19$4.27$4.99$5.19
Bread (whole wheat, 675g)$2.99$2.97$3.19$3.79$3.89
Butter (unsalted, 454g)$5.99$6.29$6.49$7.49$7.79
Chicken Breast (per kg)$8.80$12.99$13.50$17.99$18.99
Ground Beef (lean, per kg)$11.00$11.50$11.99$14.99$15.49
Apples (Royal Gala, per kg)$4.39$4.19$4.83$5.49$5.71
Bananas (per kg)$1.52$1.52$1.52$1.74$1.74
Total$43.35$48.32$50.47$61.77$64.29

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of September 2026.

Store-by-Store Price Analysis in Markham

Understanding each grocery banner's pricing strategy can help you make more informed decisions. While one store might have the cheapest milk, another could have a better deal on meat or produce. Here is a closer look at what you can expect at major grocery stores in Markham.

No Frills

As the basket comparison shows, No Frills currently offers the lowest overall prices for staple goods in Markham. With a total basket cost of $43.35, it stands out as the budget-friendly champion. The store's pricing advantage is most apparent in the meat category, with a standout deal on chicken breast at $8.80/kg. This price is significantly lower than its competitors, where the same product can cost up to $18.99/kg. You will also find competitive prices on dairy and pantry items. For shoppers at locations like John's No Frills at 9255 Woodbine Avenue, prioritizing this banner for your core weekly shop can lead to substantial savings. The trade-off is a no-frills shopping experience with fewer amenities and brand selections, but for pure price-conscious shopping, it is difficult to beat.

Food Basics

Food Basics is another strong contender in the discount grocery space, with a basket total of $48.32. While slightly more expensive than No Frills in this specific comparison, it remains a highly competitive option. This week, Food Basics offers the lowest price on whole wheat bread ($2.97) and Royal Gala apples ($4.19/kg). For Markham residents near the store at 5762 Highway 7, it provides excellent value, particularly for produce and baked goods. Its pricing on other items like milk and bananas is identical to No Frills, confirming its position as a reliable destination for keeping grocery costs down. If your shopping list is heavy on fresh produce, comparing the weekly Food Basics flyer against other stores is a worthwhile strategy.

Walmart

Walmart occupies a middle ground in the Markham grocery landscape. Its basket total of $50.47 is higher than the dedicated discount banners but considerably lower than conventional supermarkets. This makes it a convenient one-stop-shop for many households who value both price and selection. Walmart’s strengths often lie in consistent, everyday low pricing on pantry goods and non-perishable items. As seen in the table, its prices for staples like milk and eggs are very close to those at No Frills and Food Basics. For shoppers visiting the Copper Creek Drive location, you can expect reliable, competitive pricing without necessarily needing to hunt for weekly specials, although their flyer deals can offer deep discounts.

Metro

Moving into the conventional supermarket tier, Metro's basket cost is $61.77, a significant jump from the discounters. You are paying a premium for a wider product selection, including more specialty and organic items, a more robust prepared foods section, and a different shopping environment. While its everyday prices on staples like milk ($5.29) and butter ($7.49) are higher, Metro can offer competitive value through its weekly sales. For example, a flyer special on cheese or meat could temporarily make it the cheapest option for that specific item. Shoppers at the Unionville location on Highway 7 should focus on flyer deals and the store's loyalty program to maximize value. Without taking advantage of sales, a full shop at Metro will consistently cost more.

Loblaws

At the top end of the price spectrum in this comparison is Loblaws, with a basket total of $64.29. Similar to Metro, Loblaws offers a premium shopping experience with an extensive range of products, including its popular President's Choice and PC Black Label lines. The higher cost reflects this wider selection, in-store services, and brand positioning. For staples, you will pay more: 2L milk is $5.49 and a dozen eggs are $5.19. However, Loblaws can be a source of excellent value through strategic shopping. This week, a 50% discount on strawberries brings them down to just $2.99. Shoppers at the 200 Bullock Drive store should leverage the PC Optimum points program and actively seek out these loss-leader deals to offset the higher base prices on other goods.


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Best Grocery Deals in Markham This Week

Beyond the basket comparison, looking at individual flyer specials is crucial for maximizing savings. Sometimes a conventional store like Loblaws or Metro will have a "loss leader" deal that is cheaper than any discount banner. The key is to be flexible and potentially visit more than one store for the best deals. Here are some of the top-value items available in Markham this week, according to eezly's AI-powered price database.

This week's data shows that significant savings are available across all store types, particularly on meat, produce, and pantry items. The 50% discount on strawberries at Loblaws and the 41% savings on both chicken at No Frills and cheese at Metro prove that deals can be found everywhere.

ProductSale PriceRegular PriceSavingsStore
Chicken Breast (boneless, skinless, per kg)$8.80$14.9941%No Frills
Strawberries (454g clamshell)$2.99$5.9950%Loblaws
Black Diamond Cheese (400g block)$4.99$8.4941%Metro
Coca-Cola or Pepsi (12x355ml)$5.47$8.9939%Food Basics
General Mills Cereal (family size)$4.97$7.2932%Walmart
Avocados (bag of 5)$3.99$6.4939%No Frills
Danone Yogurt (16-pack)$6.99$9.9930%Food Basics

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of September 2026.

How Markham Prices Compare to the Ontario Average

To provide further context, it's useful to compare local Markham prices to the broader provincial average. Based on data from across Ontario, the average cost for the same eight-item grocery basket is approximately $55.50.

This comparison reveals that Markham residents have excellent opportunities to beat the provincial average. The basket totals at No Frills ($43.35), Food Basics ($48.32), and Walmart ($50.47) all come in significantly below the Ontario average. This suggests that Markham's discount grocery sector is particularly competitive, offering better-than-average savings for shoppers who choose these stores.

Conversely, shopping at Markham's conventional supermarkets like Metro ($61.77) and Loblaws ($64.29) will result in a grocery bill that is notably higher than the provincial average. This doesn't mean you should avoid these stores entirely, but it does underscore the importance of using them strategically for specific sales rather than for your entire weekly shop if your primary goal is to save money. Your ability to secure a lower-than-average grocery bill in Markham is directly tied to your willingness to shop at discount-focused banners.

Money-Saving Tips for Markham Shoppers

Saving money on groceries in Markham goes beyond just picking the cheapest store. It involves a combination of planning, strategy, and leveraging the right tools. Here are some effective tips to lower your grocery bill.

1. Plan Your Shopping with AI

Before you leave the house, use a tool like eezly's AI-powered meal planner to build a shopping list around the week's best deals. The platform analyzes flyer data from all major Markham stores—including No Frills, Food Basics, Metro, and Loblaws—and suggests recipes that use ingredients currently on sale. This prevents impulse buys and ensures your meals are built around cost-effective items.

2. Embrace Multi-Store Shopping

As the data shows, no single store is the cheapest for everything. The best deal on chicken might be at No Frills, while Loblaws has a half-price sale on strawberries. If your schedule allows, consider a two-store trip. Get your core staples at a discount banner like Food Basics or No Frills, then make a quick stop at a conventional store like Metro to pick up one or two deeply discounted flyer specials. This "best-of" approach can yield the largest savings.

3. Understand Unit Pricing

The shelf tag price is not always the full story. Always check the unit price (e.g., price per 100g or per kg) to compare different package sizes or brands accurately. A larger box may seem like a better deal, but the unit price will reveal the true value. This is especially important for items like cereal, coffee, and cheese. eezly's platform often displays unit pricing to make these comparisons easier.

4. Maximize Loyalty Programs

If you shop at Loblaws, Metro, or Sobeys, engaging with their loyalty programs is non-negotiable. For Loblaws banners, the PC Optimum program offers personalized digital coupons and points that can be redeemed for free groceries. Check your app weekly for targeted offers that align with your shopping habits. Similarly, Metro's program can provide significant value when combined with their weekly flyer sales.

5. Stock Up on Pantry Staples

When non-perishable items you use regularly go on a deep sale (30% off or more), buy enough to last until the next sales cycle (typically 6-8 weeks). Items like pasta, canned tomatoes, rice, and cooking oil have long shelf lives. This strategy protects you from future price increases and ensures you are always paying the lowest possible price for your pantry essentials. Check the eezly deals page to spot these major discounts across all Markham stores.

Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.

Try eezly — Free


Comparison

ProductNo FrillsFood BasicsWalmartMetroLoblaws
Milk (2L, 2%)$4.67$4.67$4.68$5.29$5.49
Eggs (dozen, large)$3.99$4.19$4.27$4.99$5.19
Bread (whole wheat, 675g)$2.99$2.97$3.19$3.79$3.89
Butter (unsalted, 454g)$5.99$6.29$6.49$7.49$7.79
Chicken Breast (per kg)$8.80$12.99$13.50$17.99$18.99
Ground Beef (lean, per kg)$11.00$11.50$11.99$14.99$15.49
Apples (Royal Gala, per kg)$4.39$4.19$4.83$5.49$5.71
Bananas (per kg)$1.52$1.52$1.52$1.74$1.74
Total$43.35$48.32$50.47$61.77$64.29

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest grocery store in Markham, Ontario?

Based on a comparison of eight staple items in September 2026, No Frills is the cheapest grocery store in Markham, with a basket total of $43.35. Food Basics is the second cheapest at $48.32. Prices can change weekly, so it is best to compare real-time data before shopping.

How much can I save by switching grocery stores in Markham?

You can save significantly. According to eezly's real-time price tracking, the price difference for a basket of eight common items between the most affordable store (No Frills, $43.35) and the most expensive (Loblaws, $64.29) is $20.94. This represents a potential savings of over 30% on those items.

How can AI help me save money on groceries in Markham?

AI-powered platforms like eezly help you save money by automatically comparing prices for over 196,000 products across all major Markham grocery stores, including Walmart, Metro, and Freshco. It can generate meal plans based on what's on sale and create an optimized shopping list that shows you where to buy each item for the lowest price.

What is the best day of the week to shop for groceries in Markham?

The best time to shop is typically on Thursday, which is when most new weekly flyers and sales begin. This gives you the best selection of discounted items before they potentially sell out over the weekend. Shopping mid-week on a Tuesday or Wednesday can also be good for finding manager's specials or "pink sticker" deals on items nearing their expiry date.

Where can I find the best deals on meat in Markham this week?

This week, the best deal on meat is at No Frills, which is offering boneless, skinless chicken breast for $8.80 per kilogram. This is a 41% discount from its regular price. Meat prices and sales change weekly, so using a price tracking tool is the best way to find the current top deals.

Are grocery prices in Markham higher than the rest of Ontario?

It depends on where you shop. If you shop at discount stores like No Frills or Food Basics in Markham, your grocery bill is likely to be lower than the Ontario average. However, if you primarily shop at conventional supermarkets like Metro or Loblaws, your bill may be higher than the provincial average.

How do I find specific deals at a store near me in Markham?

You can use the eezly app or website and filter by your postal code or specific store locations, such as the Walmart at 500 Copper Creek Drive or the Loblaws at 200 Bullock Drive. This will show you flyer deals and price comparisons relevant to the stores you frequent most.

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