Not so long ago, finding a supermarket in Venice was rare.
Times have changed, however, and today you'll find supermarkets in most parts of Venice.
This is good news if you're a foreign tourist intimidated by language barriers.
Supermarkets in Venice: article summary
Supermarkets in Venice: Despar
Among the supermarket chains in Venice, one of my favorites is Despar. It has three stores on the island:
- one near the station, mainly for tourists
- another near the Rialto bridge
- and its Venice flagship store in a renovated building.
Despar is the only supermarket in Venice with good breads and pastries baked the same day, which you can buy in Plexiglas bins. You'll need to use plastic gloves when selecting items from the bulk bins.
Use the nearby scale to weigh your items, enter the product number and print a label. Some items are sold by number rather than weight. In this case, a pop-up keyboard will appear on the screen after you've entered the item number. This allows you to indicate the number of items you are buying.
The facility opens :
- Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- The Sunday of 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Coop supermarkets in Venice
Another popular chain is Coop, which has more supermarkets in Venice than any of its competitors. The largest stores are located right next to the Piazzale Roma (near the vaporetto "A") and on the Strada Nova, not far from Campo SS. Apostoli in Cannaregio.
Small and medium-sized Coop and InCoop stores are scattered throughout the city center and on the glass island of Murano. Coop stands out for its high-quality products at competitive prices.
Coop supermarkets are very popular with Venetians and are opening :
- Every day from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Shopping in Conad stores
Conad has several stores in the centro storico and on the Lido di Venezia. Two of the largest are on the Zatterefacing the Canal de la Giudecca à Dorsoduroand another in the extreme north-west of Cannaregiowhere you'll find what could be the biggest and least crowded supermarket in Venice.
Punto San Marco supermarkets in Venice
Other supermarket brands in central Venice include Punto (with stores in the San Marco and Campo Santa Margherita). It's a discount chain with a handful of neighborhood stores with two locations in Venice, including a department store on Calle dei Fabbri near Piazza San Marco.
Shopping tips for Venice supermarkets
When buying produce, you'll often have to put on a disposable plastic glove, fill a plastic bag and weigh the bag on an electronic scale with icons representing various fruits and vegetables or, in some cases, product numbers.
Select the icon or enter the product number, click on "OK", wait for the scale to print a price label, then stick the label on the plastic bag.
If the product is sold by item rather than by weight, a secondary virtual keyboard will appear on the screen. Simply enter the number of items and click on "OK" to print a label.
At deli counters, you buy deli meats and cheeses by the etto or 100 grams, or just under a quarter of a pound. For example, if you want 200 grams of prosciutto, point to the ham and ask for "due etti"..
It's generally easier to pay by credit card than in cash. Italian store clerks often have a fetish for exact change. It's also easier just to present your credit card than to rummage around for pennies and nickels.
Self-service checkouts to make your welcome easier
New supermarkets have self-service checkouts in addition to the usual queues. When a store is busy and you're only buying a few items, it can be a real challenge to get through. faster to use the automatic cash register. You can pay with a credit card, banknotes or coins, and the machines give you change.
Supermarket opening hours vary, although almost all stores are open every day of the week. Neighborhood stores may close at 8:30 or 9 p.m., while stores in high-traffic areas may close at 9 p.m. such as Zattere or Strada Nova are usually open until 9:30 or 10 pm.
If you don't like crowds in supermarkets, try to avoid shopping during the evening rush.
The place of animals in Venice's supermarkets
If you are travelling with your pet, you should be aware that domestic animals must remain outside the store or in the store lobby. However, don't be surprised if you see the occasional buyer with a small dog in a basket or jacket.
If you have a tote or shopping bag, take it with you to the supermarket. Bags are usually available at the checkout for a small fee.
Finally, a handful of supermarkets (like Despar) require you to scan your receipt to exit the store. Keep your receipt handy after you've paid, and hold the receipt barcode against the infrared scanner at the exit door. The door will then open to let you out.
Now you know everything you need to know about Venice's supermarkets. On your next visit, I invite you to try one of them and see for yourself. live like the locals and feel a little Venetian!
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