While our adult pantries are left behind when we go on vacation, there’s a new way we’re staying connected to the joy of grocery shopping and it has got a name to it!
Grocery store tourism is an emerging travel trend where tourists treat supermarkets, convenience stores, and local markets as cultural attractions.
Instead of focusing on landmarks or restaurants, travelers explore the everyday shopping habits of locals to learn about the place’s traditions, culture, and daily life. It is this low-key, budget-friendly activity that has exploded, further fueled by social media platforms where “grocery hauls” rack up millions of views.
The fascinating thing about grocery stores is that unlike the curated tourist experiences, grocery stores offer unfiltered authenticity. They reveal what the people of the town actually eat, seasonal specialities, packaging quirks, and even social dynamics.
It’s a respectful voyeuristic view into local life that leaves you with not only curiosity, but also a means to quench that. You get to discover unfamiliar products, iterations of things you get back home, unique snacks, and so much more. It’s like living a new life for a week, and we are now doing it gladly more than ever.
The appeal of this lies in the accessibility of it. No reservations, tickets, or curated tours needed. It fits simply into any itinerary providing relief from the usual hotels, cafes and activities that increasingly look the same worldwide. Grocery shopping democratises exploration, everyone can participate, share finds, and connect to a place on a more personal note. It turns routine into adventure—squeezing strange fruits, deciphering labels, or striking up conversations with clerks and shoppers.
There’s been a growing disillusionment with what’s now being called “performative tourism” leading to the need for genuine interactions and discovery. But with grocery stores, it’s the “gritty authenticity” that pulls us in. They showcase guilty pleasures (unique chip flavours or childhood candies), cultural guilty pleasures, and practical innovations like France’s law requiring unsold food donations to banks. Social media amplifies this via videos of Japanese konbini (convenience stores) meals, Portuguese tinned fish, or Australian Tim Tams that inspire itineraries. These spaces foster people-watching of “real” locals, parents, workers, elders, far from tourist bubbles.
Japan leads the trend with its konbini culture. 7-Eleven and FamilyMart in Tokyo or Seoul offer far more than snacks. You’ll spot everything from onigiri, customisable ramen heated on-site, seasonal bentos, strawberry-cream sandwiches, and wild drink mixes. With over 20,000 stores in Japan, they’re ubiquitous yet endlessly inventive, featuring kawaii packaging and limited-edition items. Travelers plan trips around visiting multiple locations.
In Paris, La Grande Épicerie de Paris (part of Le Bon Marché) is a luxurious temple to French gastronomy. Opened in 1923, it boasts over 1,000 cheeses, gourmet meats, ready-made dishes rivaling restaurants, and viral Maison Bordier butters (including truffle varieties). Its elegant displays make it a destination in itself.
London’s Fortnum & Mason (est. 1707), the “Queen’s grocer,” spans multiple floors with grand staircases resembling a hotel. Excelling in teas, jams, biscuits, wines, and curated hampers, the Piccadilly flagship with its iconic clock doubles up as a tourist spot as well.
Milan’s Peck (est. 1883) elevates the deli experience with thousands of wines, premium cured meats, a bistro, and high-quality dining. Locations near the Duomo blend shopping and tasting.
Other highlights include:
Grocery tourism isn’t just about buying; it’s a participatory journey. You learn by doing—navigating units, asking questions, or even making friends while you’re at it. As 2026 is dubbed the year of grocery store tourism, expect more curated experiences and viral inspiration. Next trip, skip the big red bus and grab a basket. Wander aisle three, smell the unfamiliar spices, and let the shelves tell their stories.
