Grocery shopping in a dutch supermarket for the first time

If you are planning to go grocery shopping in a dutch supermarket for the first time, then make sure you watch this video BEFORE going!
When I first arrived in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) as a foreigner, I made several unexpected mistakes whilst grocery shopping in a dutch supermarket for the first time. Some of these were a little embarrassing too!
In this video, I’ll be focusing on a dutch supermarket chain called Albert Heijn. Some of these tips (eg exit barrier, weighing machine) will also be applicable to the other big chain supermarkets in Amsterdam too. I hope these tips will help you avoid making the same mistakes I made! Thank you so much for watching.
EXTRA TIPS
-Bring your own net bags for loose fruit and veg when going to Albert Heijn Amsterdam. Single-use free plastic bags for fruit and veg are no longer available there.
-Albert Heijn has a very good online delivery service. You can also automatically translate products on their website into English. However worth bearing in mind, if you want to ‘search’ for an item you need to do this in Dutch. You will also need a dutch bank account to make payment.
TO SUPPORT MY CHANNEL
Buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/pocketli... Thank you so much ❤️
ABOUT ME
Hello there! My name is Daniella Perera and I’m an artist and vlogger based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I grew up in Hong Kong and the UK, and I’m of mixed heritage including Chinese, Sri-Lankan, Dutch and Portuguese.
Near the end of 2020, I moved from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam with my husband. I have since fallen in love with this city, and I make KZbin videos (every other weekend) about things to do in Amsterdam and tips to settle in faster. The idea behind 'Pocket Lighthouse' was to shine a light on the above topics, and for this information to be accessible on the go.
One of my long-term goals is to use my creativity (whether that be through art or video) to regularly support organisations helping strays and shelter dogs. Needless to say I absolutely adore dogs.
#albertheijn #groceryshopping #dutchsupermarket

[@pocketlighthouse]

Hi everyone! 😀Do you have any tips on visiting a dutch supermarket for the very first time? Please share them below so other subscribers/viewers of this channel can also learn from your experience.

[@gerbentvandeveen]

Yes, it is not a supermarket in England. So everything is in Dutch. I've been to England myself. There EVERYTHING is in English. But, I can read, write and talk. Perhaps? Before that, someone comes to the Netherlands? take a few Dutch lessons! Greetings from Spakenburg, the Netherlands.

[@Little-She-Devil]

I’ve got a good tip. If you see a coffee machine. Most times its free. Just don’t take the top cup. It’s the cup everyone puts their finger in to get the one below it. Trust me as a Dutch person myself I know what you can find in the top cup.

[@parmentier7457]

All product information is usually in Dutch and French because the Benelux is used as a market area. And supermarkets that do accept creditcards, Amex and Visa are Dirk, Jumbo, Aldi, Lidl, Dekamarkt and Marqt.

[@pocketlighthouse]

Thank you so much for your comment here. Very useful info!

[@HeikoEbeling]

Excellent video and you're correct on everything! The most important tip I have for newcomers in this country is just to ask someone to help you out. There are always people around and most of us speak English and one or two other languages. It doesn't have to be an employee, most Dutch people have a helpful attitude - but it is up to you to ask. This applies not only to supermarkets, but pretty much in all situations.

[@pocketlighthouse]

Hi Heiko, thank you so much for your very positive comment here. I really appreciate it, as well as the advice on asking people for help too :)

[@yoonchongong8914]

I agree. Ask when you need to.I always ask.

[@cineworm60]

Thanks very much, really useful Albert Heijn information, especially the tip about scanning the receipt to open the exit gates. That certainly saved me from an awkward situation on my recent trip to Amsterdam!

[@pocketlighthouse]

Thank you so much for your comment. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know that this AH information was useful. Comments like yours really brighten my day, thank you!

[@mikebashford8198]

A colleague of mine was working in Amsterdam recently. He woke up one morning with a raging thirst, probably due to the amount of wine he drank the night before, opened a bottle of (what he thought was) mineral water he'd got from Aldi and began to drink. He'd swallowed about 3 mouthfuls before he realised it was not water. He did not know that 'azijn', clearly written on the bottle, was the Dutch word for vinegar ...

[@pocketlighthouse]

Oh gosh, he must have been very shocked indeed!!!

[@mariadebake5483]

I think you explained it very clearly, I'm sure it's useful to people from other countries coming to stay here. Especially about the codes and weighing, which can be confusing if you're not used to it.

[@pocketlighthouse]

Hi Maria, thank you so much for your feedback and I'm really glad you think I've explained it very clearly. :)

[@henkbangma3015]

Hi Daniëlla, If you go shopping in AH you should get yourself a ''bonus card'. This will give you a lot of discounts. And as AH is the more expensive supermarket you will benefit a lot. Jumbo has such a card as well.

[@pocketlighthouse]

That is a great tip! I do have an AH card already, but it took me quite a while to get one. You've given me a good idea for another video, perhaps even a Shorts video. Thank you for your comment!

[@jackvandersluis1723]

Try a little dance to leave the supermarket: so cute! 😊

[@pocketlighthouse]

Hi Jack :) Haha the things I did when I first arrived!

[@eyalreches1]

Nice video, what about buying online?

[@pocketlighthouse]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, Albert Heijn do have an online store too. Payment is made once the groceries are delivered and taken at the door using their app and a dutch bank account.

[@bcvanrijswijk]

I was in a supermarket in Italy. And to my amazement, the product names were not in Dutch!

[@pocketlighthouse]

:)

[@andreasfort1599]

I thought Dutch supermarkets had the gun you scan yourself and then just upload it at the till?

[@pocketlighthouse]

There is also the option of a scanning gun which I see people use sometimes.

[@DavidNijman]

Why print out a sticker, you can go to the register and they'll weight it for you...

[@pocketlighthouse]

When you say the register, do you mean the manned cashier till?

[@DavidNijman]

@@pocketlighthouse yes, sorry 😉

[@henkbangma3015]

Dag David, In some supermarkets the register can weight products for you, but not in all cases.

[@IJubane]

​​@@henkbangma3015I haven't been to a supermarket in the Netherlands for years that can not weigh produce at the manned register though. The scales in the store are for self scan (portable handscanner) or self checkout only for as far as I know (nowadays). There might be some relics of supermarkets left, but I imagine they would be in the most rural areas.

[@henkbangma3015]

@@IJubane Hi David, You're right, I should have written In most supermarkets. And it is weigh 🧐