Is FreshCo Cheaper Than No Frills?

FreshCo and No Frills are both discount banners, but from competing grocery groups. Neither one wins on every item.

Policy last reviewed June 19, 2026 · Public retailer information; prices change weekly and vary by location
It depends
The short answer

Sometimes. FreshCo (Empire/Sobeys) and No Frills (Loblaw) are both discount banners with similar positioning, so the cheaper one on any given item depends on the current flyer rather than a fixed overall advantage.

Two discount banners, two competing owners

FreshCo and No Frills were both built to undercut their parent companies’ full-service stores, which puts them in direct competition with each other even though they belong to unrelated grocery groups. That similar strategy means the gap between them tends to be smaller and more flyer-dependent than a discount-versus-full-service comparison.

A faster way to check than two flyers

If you shop at Superstore through PC Express, the more useful question is usually whether a specific FreshCo or No Frills price beats an item in your order, since either banner can be an eligible local competitor for an ad-match request.

Check the price before you buy
Scan a barcode, see what it costs nearby
PriceGoose is a free iPhone app. Android access is currently in beta. Scan any grocery product and see its price at stores near you.
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See Does Superstore Price Match FreshCo? and Does PC Express Price Match No Frills? for what qualifies. The Canada-wide guide covers the broader picture, and the grocery savings calculator can help estimate the impact of switching specific items.

Frequently asked questions

Is FreshCo always cheaper than No Frills?
No. Both are discount banners with similar positioning from competing parent companies, and the better deal depends on the item and the current flyer.
Are FreshCo and No Frills related chains?
No. FreshCo belongs to Empire Company (Sobeys) and No Frills is a Loblaw Companies banner. They compete directly but are not related.
Skip the manual part

Check the price before you put it in the cart

Scan any grocery barcode with your phone and PriceGoose shows what that exact product costs at stores near you, cheapest first. Free on iPhone. Android access is currently in beta.

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