If you're at a loss for what to make for dinner, a trip to an international supermarket could be just what you need to spark some culinary inspiration — while potentially saving a little money on your grocery bill.Whether you'll actually save, however, depends on what's in your cart."Savvy shoppers can compare and see whether or not they're getting good deals," Barbara E.Kahn, a marketing professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, told Fox News Digital.COSTCO SHOPPERS CHALLENGE INFLUENCER'S CLAIM THAT 'INSANE' CHICKEN MEAL CAN FEED FAMILY OF FIVE"If the supermarket caters to a specialized segment, they may sell enough to reduce their costs of stocking those specialized items," she said."On the other hand, it's possible that some of these specialized international markets are stocking premium products that you can't get anywhere else, so there's an exclusivity aspect to it, and some of those prices might be higher."Research shows that savings at international supermarkets tend to be category-specific.International supermarkets can introduce shoppers to unfamiliar ingredients while offering competitive prices on certain grocery staples.
(iStock)International grocery stores, particularly Asian chains, have been growing their revenue in recent years.The Associated Press reported in August 2025 on IBISWorld data showing that international supermarkets and small grocery stores took in $55.8 billion in 2024 and had grown roughly 3% a year since 2019, with revenue forecast to top $64 billion by 2029.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERAnalysts have attributed rising demand to demographic shifts, such as growth in Asian and Hispanic populations, and consumers — especially younger shoppers — seeking new and different flavors."Everywhere you go in America, you're going to find immigrants, and those immigrants are still cooking their foods from their countries and cultures."In addition to being a place to shop for a deal, international su...