The same sunscreen for $5 instead of $13.79? The same oven cleaner for 5 instead of $8.99? This is not a mirage, but real savings you can make when you leave the pharmacies to buy your personal care, household cleaning and other products at Dollarama.
• Also read: Are you entitled to the federal check to reimburse you for your groceries?
We even saw a pregnancy test with 99% accuracy for $1.25 at Dollarama, while the cheapest at Jean Coutu (house brand) was on sale this week for $8.79 instead of the regular price of $10.99. A difference of 603%.
The Journal compared 27 similar products, including several from the same brand. The others, like makeup remover pads or hair ties, were virtually identical in appearance.
Of these 27 products, 20 were significantly cheaper at Dollarama than at Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix; Three were the same price (within 1 or 2 cents) and one was cheaper due to sales at Jean Coutu. Shoppers Drug Mart matched Dollarama’s mark once at a discount and undercut Dollarama twice, again at a one-time discount.
According to retailers, the formats of identical products are not always the same, which makes comparisons difficult, but our calculations have taken this into account. And if a good discount is not offered in pharmacies, then prices there are systematically higher.
Pharmacies take advantage of their power of attraction
Retail specialist and Professor Emeritus Jacques Nantel of HEC Montreal explains that pharmacies do not see Dollarama as one of their competitors.
Thirty years ago their income depended largely on products other than medicines, but today this accounts for only 25 to 30% of their turnover.
“So we use the drug to retain customers and we know that when we come to the pharmacy for our prescription we will buy other products. In that context, it makes less sense for them to compete with Dollarama prices,” he explains.
According to Mr. Nantel, we have to keep in mind that apart from prescription drugs, the pharmacy is similar to a supermarket. We buy products there, even though we know that we pay more than in the supermarket.
“If you don’t have time to compare and go to where it’s cheaper, it’s crazy how much you’re willing to pay to save time,” he says of observed consumer behavior.
Detours that are worthwhile
But if you want to fight the effects of inflation on your budget, you should rather take a few detours. Last year, a Desjardins study showed that Dollarama’s prices were, on average, 40 to 50% lower than Wal-Mart and Amazon in all categories except groceries.
In the over-the-counter space, on the other hand, there are big savings to be had at Costco. A box of 10 La Personnelle antihistamine tablets is $9.99 at Jean Coutu, the same price as a box of 200 at Costco! Distribution costs always increase the unit price for small quantities, but 60 tablets still sell for $32.99 at Jean Coutu and 84 tablets sell for $51.99 at Pharmaprix. Sure, there’s no $60 membership fee for drugstore shopping, but if you’re already a Costco member, you can save quite a bit.
5 really cheaper products at Dollarama
pregnancy test
- Dollarama (Medicare): $1.25
- Jean Coutu (The Personal): $8.79 off ($10.99 regular price)
- Pharmaprix (Life): $12.49
➞ Difference: 603% to 899%
A pregnancy test at Dollarama is 603% cheaper than in pharmacies. Valerie Lesage
Coppertone Sport SPF 30 222ml
- Dollarama: $5
- Jean Coutu: $13.79
➞ Difference: 176%
The same sunscreen is $5 at Dollarama and $13.79 at Jean Coutu. Valerie Lesage
Super strong Easy Off 400g
- Dollarama: $5
- Jeans Coutu: $8.99
- Shoppers Drug Mart: $8.29
➞ Difference: 65% to 79%
Easy Off Oven Cleaner 79% cheaper at Dollarama than Jean Coutu. Valerie Lesage
hair ties
- Dollarama: $2.25
- Jeans Coutu: $8.49
- Shoppers Drug Mart: $9.29
➞ Difference: 277% to 340%
40 hair ties are $2.25 at Dollarama, while 30 hair ties are $8.49 at Jean Coutu. Valerie Leasge
Lady Speed Stick 70g
- Dollarama: $3.25
- Jean Coutu: $5.79 (regular price $6.29)
- Shoppers Drug Mart: $5.79
➞ Difference: 78% to 112%
Lady Speed Stick Antiperspirant at Dollarama this week 44% off its retail price at Jean Coutu. Valerie Lesage