The latest travel trend is grocery store tourism

For once I can say I was ahead of the game. Wherever I travel, one of the must-do events is go to a grocery store, whether it's a different supermarket brand or an obscure specialty shop. I love to see the unique products, check out how the prices compare, and hopefully snag a few items to take back home. Currently what used to be my weird quirk is now an on-topic trend, as grocery store tourism hits the mainstream.

As with most trends these days, TikTok is where the action is. The poster behind a viral video of a grocery store stop in Malaysia says: "Going to a grocery store could technically be counted as sightseeing, right? Because not only is it a cultural experience, but you can also find lots of stuff to bring back as souvenirs." Echoes of this mindset are bouncing all around TikTok and other social media platforms.

Not only is going to a grocery a fun event to plan during a vacation, for some people the shopping trip IS the vacation. It seems that people (or at least influencers) are flocking to Erewhon, the California-based luxury supermarket, to try one of the many products from the store being featured on TikTok, including Hailey Bieber's strawberry glaze skin smoothie. The description for the $19.00 USD drink on Erewhon's website is "Made with creamy almond milk organic strawberries and avocado it offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors. Enhanced with collagen and sea moss for added benefits." I'm not sure I would buy a plane ticket just to drink a smoothie, but I did schlep several pounds of Maldon Sea Salt through three airports so I certainly should not be throwing stones.

5 comments

lean1July 10, 2024

I have been doing this since I started traveling to Europe in college.
My favorites are Conad and Coop in Italy.

Even small markets in Japan have dozens of varieties of miso and sesame sauces that can't be found in the US. and they are open 24/7!

FyretiggerJuly 10, 2024

Gotta do the shops. If you aren't snacking local, you're missing half the experience.

Julie_NutterJuly 10, 2024

I often see International tourists at the Berkeley Bowl. It’s magnificent! Everyone should visit!

gamulhollandJuly 11, 2024

I just shop at the regular grocery and Trader Joe’s at home, but when I’m visiting my sister’s family in Portland, OR, of course I have to hit the fancy grocery, New Seasons, even if it’s just to pick up a gourmet chocolate bar, some Bob’s Red Mill product I can’t find around here, and a bar of honey-almond soap. :)

Mrs. LJuly 20, 2024

I started going into other countries grocery stores when I started traveling to watch the Sharks play hockey. No stores in the US in the 90’s carried hockey themed goods. I remember buying cereal and eating it on the trips just to be able to take the hockey themed box home!