One can find plenty cheap Malta supermarkets, but some are more popular than others both with locals and tourists. In this post will be talking about PAVI and SMART supermarket.
PAVI Shopping Complex Malta
Opened in 2006 and located in Qormi in the centre of Malta it covers 16,000 square meters making it the largest supermarket on the island by far. PAVI offers more than 40, 000 products spread over 9 kilometres of shelving.
All items are located on one floor with a well-planned logical layout and wide isles giving the shoppers the space they need to manoeuvre comfortably and find whatever they are looking for easily. Twenty-five -checkout points facilitate a constant and fast flow of shoppers during busy periods with minimum waiting and queuing times.
At PAVI you can find a Butcher, Fishmonger, Green grocer, Bakery, Health Store, Deli, Car wash and a DIY section.
Other retail facilities include:
- La Castellana Trattoria/Cafeteri
- Agenda Bookshop
- Go Mobile Telecom Outlet
- Heavenscent Perfumery
- Alistair Florist
- Natius Ola – Hair & Beauty Parlour
- Atlas Insurance
- BOV ATM Facilities
- Banif Bank
- Pizza Hut (OPENING SOON)
Situated at the basement level, one can find La Vigna Wine & Gourmet cellar. Offered here are over 1300 wines and gourmet food over an area of 500 square meters. Spirits, tobacco, decanters, stemware, accessories and gifts are also available. La Vigna Wine & Gourmet cellar can also be booked for wine-tasting sessions, seminars and product launches.
Online shopping is available at pavi.com.mt and all major credit cards are accepted along with BOV and APS debit cards. You can choose to pick up your shopping directly from the shop or have it delivered to your doorstep.
In order to be able to shop online one must have a PAVI Bonus Card, which also allows you to gain one point with every Euro spent redeemable against items available at PAVI supermarket and other establishments such as ZARA and more. Instructions on how to apply for PAVI bonus card can be find on their website. Orders can also be taken over the telephone.
PAVI supermarket also offers great prizes on weekly basis, check their website for more info.
Contact details:
PAVI Shopping Complex
Manuel Dimech Street
Qormi
Malta
Tel: 22700227
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 09:00 – 20:00, Friday: 09:00 – 21:00 & Saturday: 08:00 – 19:00
Smart Supermarket
The actual Smart supermarket opened in 1981 after the owner decided to shift his business from the production of shirts to the supermarket business. Smart supermarket was opened in the space previously used as the shirt factory, which meant space was rather limited. In the year 2000 Smart supermarket received a much-needed extension making it one of the largest and cheapest supermarkets in Malta.
Smart supermarket located in the B’kara in the centre of Malta consists of the following facilities:
- Salumeria
- Fish Shop
- BHS Clothes shop
- Butcher
- B R Guest Cafeteria
- Deli
- Oriental foods (produced by Smart supermarket)
- Bakery
- Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
- Frozen foods
- Heaven Scent Perfumery
- Household Goods
- Migmar Clothes & nightwear
- Toymagic Toyshop
- Telecom Electronics
- Car park
Loyalty schemes and online shopping are available and deliveries are made to any location on the island.
Contact details:
Smart Supermarket
Naxxar Road
Birkirkara
Malta
Tel: 21442728
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 7:00 – 19:00, Friday: 7:00 – 21:00 & Saturday: 7:00 – 18:30
URGENT … where can I find white marshmallows ONLY? Not multi-coloured or mixed with pink ones!
Much has changed since this article was written and I think you will find these supermarkets are not the cheapest. Prices are similar in all the big supermarkets in Malta now because supply is controlled by agents, with the exception of Lidl. The distinguishing fact for supermarkets in Malta has to be about quality, customer service and overall experience. Convenience is also a factor particularly with parking always being a premium. Hands down my weekly shop in Portomaso at Arkadia costs me no more than when I shopped at one of the other big supermarkets (not to mention any names) the difference being, there I find a clean and well presented shop with friendly staff and a good range of products.
@John: Shopping at Arkadia cost no more than anywhere else??? It’s MUCH more expensive than ANY other supermarket in Malta, with a lot of products out of date if you check carefully.
@ Lilly: Don’t worry; just buy the multi-coloured ones and I’ll eat all the non-whites.
I like to shop at Smart for the wide variety of product choice, but am not totally happy with the service. It leaves a lot to be desired and I will not hesitate to change the supermarket once I find one that stocks my items of choice. On several occasions there has not been enough tills opened for service. Complaints are being dealt with rudely both by cashiers and management. Bills need to be checked all the time; I always find mistakes. Priced items on discounted products are many times scanned higher so check your bills carefully. It is almost impossible to get someone to help with packing or taking trolleys to the car park. I have been an esteemed client to this supermarket for a long time, and I feel that I should be treated a lot better if you want me to continue leaving my hard earned cash there.