Gen Z says grocery stores are a must-visit when traveling.
There’s a popular travel trend that’s all the rage on TikTok, but it’s not about lavishing money on exotic hotspots or going to the most popular places. Instead, it’s about checking out grocery stores in foreign countries to see what new and unusual foods are available and what the locals like.
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While this idea may seem pretty basic, it’s actually a very unique way to understand different cultures and try new things. This is probably why grocery store tourism has become so popular among Gen Z travelers, the newest generation to pack their bags and hit the road. Read on to learn more about this trend.
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One example of grocery tourism involves a couple visiting a grocery store in Zurich.
The idea of grocery store tourism makes a lot of sense when you watch videos like the one shared by @mrsryleepaige. As an American, she says she loves stopping off at grocery stores while traveling and noticing how different things are from place to place. She specifically noted that dairy and eggs aren’t kept refrigerated in Switzerland, which is standard in the US.
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One TikTok user called a visit to a grocery store a “cultural” experience.
Walking around a grocery store in a new town gives you a first-hand look at different cultures and gives you great insight into what people eat and use. In fact, @ccamillap says this experience is often his favorite part of going on vacation.
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It is said that by doing this you can learn a lot about different countries.
During her travels, @caroluzitus tries to visit as many grocery stores as possible in France, including this lovely little store. She enjoyed browsing the different products and was drawn to a package of crepes, a French staple.
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The shopping experience can sometimes be an eye-opening one.
In a video shared by @hai.yanna, the two women laugh as they recount their experiences at the grocery store, browsing the various items on display in the store, which sometimes include unusual ingredients.
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This trend doesn’t just apply to Americans.
Even non-Americans like @rudik_d have jumped on the bandwagon, who documented her trip to Erewhon in Los Angeles, which she claims is the most expensive grocery store in the U.S. She explained that Los Angeles residents like the Kardashians and Miley Cyrus have been known to shop at the pricey grocery chain.
From these videos, it’s clear that while this trend may primarily be driven by curiosity about what people around the world are eating and buying, it seems you can tell a lot about a place from what’s on the shelves at the grocery store. Not only that, but this might be the perfect place to pick up souvenirs for those hard-to-shop-for friends and family who beg you to bring them back from your trip.
