Shopping in Italy
Depending on the area, grocery prices differ and some of them have different amenities or off the shelf products. In Italy, shopping is also a very important habit amongst locals. Food and clothing are two of the major commodities that the people shop for the most.
There are supermarkets and grocery stores for food and grocery items. There are also many local farmers' markets in situated cities across the country.
Since agriculture is one of the country’s most significant export, there are many Italian farmers cultivating great amounts of food produce. As such, Italian food prices are considerably cheaper when compared to the rest of Europe.
Dairy or farm products such as milk, cheese, eggs only cost €1 to €2.50 for a sizable amount. Fruits and vegetables cost around €1 to €1.50. Rice, Potatoes, and Pasta cost around €1.50 to €3.0 per kilogram.
A bottle of mid-range wine cost around €5 to €10, alcohol is cheap in Italy in general. Beer costs only €1.30 to €1.50, one of the best prices for this commodity in the whole of Europe.
Supermarket brands that are very common with over a thousand outlets across Italy include Lidl, Carrefour, Bennet, Conad, Coop, Crai, Despar, Eurospin, Simply Market to name a few.
Some of the best place for different items in Italy, ranging from clothes to jewelry and household items include markets like via Mazzini in Verona, via toledo in the city of Naples, via del Corso in Rome, the more luxurious Monte Napoleone, mercerie in Venice, and via Giovan Battista Zanoni located in Florence.
Some useful tips for shopping in Italy as a student include;
- Look for discounts and items that are on sale
- Google translate is quite helpful for those products that you do not know their names in Italian
- Shop in the local farmer markets for food products they are not only cheap but also organic
- Recycle your used plastic bags or opt for more lasting alternatives, it is not only environmentally friendly, but it is also cheaper to do.
