Supermarkets

The Netherlands has numerous supermarkets. The cheaper and more basic supermarkets are Lidl and Aldi, and the more exclusive and more expensive ones are Albert Heijn, C1000, Super de Boer, and Jumbo. The latter ones offer a bigger product range, and more specialties. Almost every supermarket has a separate counter where they sell tobacco products, flowers and lottery tickets.

Some hints for shopping in supermarkets:

• Remember to bring a 50-cent coin with you for a shopping cart!
• Some grocery stores have weight/price machines in the fruit and vegetable section. You are expected to price your own product before going to the cash desk. The process is simple enough. Grab a bag, fill it with the required product quantity, take it to the scale, push the corresponding button (the buttons carry pictures of all vegetables and fruits, so no Dutch required), and hit the bon (ticket) button. You will get a sticker with the price; put it on your bag and you are ready to proceed to the cash desk. 
• There is no such thing as a bag boy! You are expected to pack your own groceries -- and stores do not provide free grocery. You can ask for a bag (tas), which will cost you about 10 cents per bag. You can also grab a recycled cardboard box at the entrance of the store. 
• Remember to bring your used soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. If the word statiegeld (deposit) is printed on the bottle, you have paid a 25-cents deposit on them, and can get the deposit refunded when you turn the bottles in at the store.  so make sure to get it back. All other glass bottles (jars, wine bottles, etc) must be taken to a bottle bank outside the supermarket (often located in the parking lot).  There will also be a place to recycle your plastic there too.
• The legal drinking age in the Netherlands is:
Alcohol (under 15% vol) - 16 years, (above 15% vol.) - 18 years. The sale of alcohol to children under these ages is illegal.
• The legal smoking age in the Netherlands is 16 years old. The sale of tobacco to children under 16 is illegal.
• All Dutch supermarkets have weekly offers, and sometimes you need a discount card to get these special prices. For example, Albert Heijn has a bonuskaart. Ask for a bonuskaart at the counter in the supermarket. (It is for free.

Weekly Markets

The markets in the Netherlands do not take place every weekday at the same location. Instead you can visit a market every day at a different location! Dutch markets do not only sell food, but also clothes and household items. Do not be scared to try to make a good deal. The people selling their products are ready to negotiate.

Markets in the Eindhoven Region:

Markets in the Maastricht region:

Organic Products

In the Netherlands, there are special supermarkets where you can buy organic products. These products are more expensive, but they are top-quality and healthier than non-organic.

Organic supermarkets Eindhoven:

De Natuurwinkel

Geldropseweg54
5611 SJ Eindhoven 
Phone: +31 (0)40 211 82 32 

De Natuurwinkel
Kruisstraat 128a
5612 CM Eindhoven
Phone: +31 (0)40 237 36 00 

Organic supermarkets in Maastricht:

Wijcker Burgstraat 22

6221 EC Maastricht

Phone: +31 (0) 43 321 35 63

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