Savings in International Supermarkets Are Category-Specific, Not Universal

If dinner leaves you stuck in a rut, an international supermarket might just be the spark you need for culinary inspiration while potentially trimming your grocery bill. Whether those savings actually materialize depends entirely on what ends up in your cart. Savvy shoppers can compare prices and decide if they are truly getting good deals, according to Barbara E. Kahn, a marketing professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

"If the supermarket caters to a specialized segment, they may sell enough to reduce their costs of stocking those specialized items," she said. On the other hand, it is possible that some of these specialized international markets are stocking premium products you cannot find anywhere else. That exclusivity aspect means some prices might simply be higher. Research shows savings at these stores tend to be category-specific rather than universal.

International grocery stores, particularly Asian chains, have been growing their revenue in recent years. The Associated Press reported in August 2025 on IBISWorld data showing that international supermarkets and small grocery stores took in $55.8 billion in 2024. They had grown roughly 3% a year since 2019, with revenue forecast to top $64 billion by 2029. Analysts have attributed rising demand to demographic shifts, such as growth in Asian and Hispanic populations. Consumers, especially younger shoppers, are also seeking new and different flavors.

"Everywhere you go in America, you're going to find immigrants, and those immigrants are still cooking their foods from their countries and cultures," the AP noted regarding this trend. Beyond saving money, international supermarkets can get creative juices flowing in the kitchen. Adding just one or two unfamiliar ingredients to your cooking can make a big difference, Palina Louangketh, director of the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora, told the Associated Press.

"Coming here to an international market, you get both a dose of cultural experience but also healthy, fresh exotic ingredients," she said. It does not have to be so scary or unique. If you pair your protein with vegetables and with a starch and add savoriness to it, soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, you're covered. You do not need to whip up an elaborate meal full of exotic ingredients right from the get-go.

"Look at something you really like and see the iterations of it around the world," Beryl Shereshewsky, a New York-based video producer whose YouTube channel focuses on food and cultures from around the world, told the AP. That way you add a couple of new ingredients and you are trying something new from something that's familiar. International supermarkets can be confusing and intimidating. They may also be difficult to find for some residents. Shereshewsky recommended venturing outside your usual neighborhood to find new shops.

"I think you would be surprised by how many international markets exist, even in small towns and cities," she said. "Everywhere you go in America, you're going to find immigrants, and those immigrants are still cooking their foods from their countries and cultures." Experts also suggest researching recipes and coming up with a shopping list before heading to the store. This preparation helps ensure you avoid confusion when navigating aisles filled with unfamiliar labels.