I'm an American who visited Hagkaup, the one-stop shop known as the 'Walmart of Iceland,' and I wish we had one in the US

Talia LakritzAug 22, 2023, 21:08 IST

Outside Hagkaup in Kópavogur, Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

On a recent trip to Iceland, I visited Hagkaup, an Icelandic grocery chain and retailer.
American travelers often compare Hagkaup to Walmart because it has a little bit of everything.

Founded in 1959, Hagkaup (pronounced HOW-kup) is an Icelandic retailer with seven locations across the country.

Travel bloggers , Iceland travel guides, and sites like Globe City Guide have compared Hagkaup to Walmart for its wide-ranging selection of food, housewares, clothes, cosmetics, crafts, toys, and other items.

But as I found out during a recent trip to Iceland, the chain also offers items and experiences I've never seen in a US store before, like an entire section filled with pick-your-own candy.

I visited a Hagkaup in Kópavogur, Iceland, about 5 miles outside of Reykjavík. Take a look inside.

There are seven Hagkaup stores throughout Iceland.

Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I visited a Hagkaup located inside the Smáralind shopping center in Kópavogur.

Inside the Smáralind shopping mall in Kópavogur, Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The store was easy to spot with its orange color scheme.

The entrance to Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A lemon-themed cafe located at the entrance to Hagkaup sold smoothies and juices.

A cafe inside Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Then, I followed the orange arrows into the store itself.

Walking into Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I picked up an orange basket for easy shopping.

An orange basket in Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

To the left of the entrance, the cosmetics and fragrances section featured familiar brands such as Estée Lauder, Clinique, and Ralph Lauren.

Cosmetics and fragrances in Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There were also plenty of toiletries and skincare products. If I'd forgotten to pack anything for my trip, I would have found it here.

Skincare products at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Further inside the store, a full produce section displayed fresh fruits and vegetables.

The produce section at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There was even a box of free fruit for kids to enjoy, a common feature in Nordic supermarkets.

Free fruit for children at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A salad bar with prepared foods such as chicken, meatballs, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs cost 1,999 ISK, or about $15, per kilogram, or about 2.2 pounds.

The salad bar at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A small cheese section offered wheels of Brie and wedges of Cheddar.

Cheese at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Hagkaup also sold a range of Icelandic salmon, one of the island country's specialties.

Salmon at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

One liter, or about a quart, of milk cost 219 ISK, or about $1.66. It was cheaper than my local Walmart, where a quart of milk costs $1.98.

Milk at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I felt right at home when I noticed American brands like Cheerios, Cocoa Puffs, and Kellogg's Corn Flakes in the grocery aisles.

Cereal at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The snack aisle featured Lay's chips, another familiar brand to me as an American, for 429 ISK, or about $3.25. At my local Walmart, a bag of chips costs $3.68.

Snacks at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I also spotted some Oreos among British treats like Cadbury chocolates and Hobnob biscuits.

Oreos and other cookies at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The bakery section sold breads, cakes, and pastries.

The bakery at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I thought the colorful birthday cakes appeared fancier than grocery-store sheet cakes I've seen at bakery counters in the US.

Cakes at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The sweets didn't end there. I was surprised to find a full candy store called Nammiland at Hagkaup, as well.

Nammiland at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Customers could take a paper bag and scoop out gummies, chocolates, sour belts, and other candies from giant bins.

A Nammiland candy bag.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I soon learned that "leikföng" means "toys" in Icelandic in a section full of hula hoops, stuffed animals, and other amusements.

Toys at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

For older kids, Hagkaup sold various sizes of bikes.

Bikes at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I was impressed by the arts-and-crafts section with shelves of colorful alpaca yarn. It reminded me of Michael's craft stores in the US.

Yarn at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I visited Iceland in June, when boots are still necessary with fast-changing weather. Hagkaup had a large selection to choose from.

Boots at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

With plentiful party supplies, I could imagine running out to Hagkaup to pick up a beautiful cake from the bakery and everything I'd need to host a birthday party.

Party supplies at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Like Walmart stores, Hagkaup had a scanner to check prices as I shopped.

A price scanner at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Hagkaup had both self-checkout and staffed cashiers. Magazines and candy at the checkout appeared to be a universal phenomenon, regardless of country.

Self-checkout at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

While Hagkaup's wide array of items at affordable prices felt similar to Walmart, it was missing the pharmacy, optical, and auto sections found at many US Walmart stores.

Aisles in Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

While Hagkaup's wide array of items at affordable prices felt similar to Walmart, it was missing the pharmacy, optical, and auto sections found at many US Walmart stores.

Still, Hagkaup's robust grocery section, including a salad bar and full candy store, made me wish I could shop there more often.

Outside Hagkaup in Kópavogur, Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I compared the same breakfast from Cracker Barrel and IHOP, and the winner had standout meat but mediocre pancakes

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I'm an American who visited Hagkaup, the one-stop shop known as the 'Walmart of Iceland,' and I wish we had one in the US

There are seven Hagkaup stores throughout Iceland.

I visited a Hagkaup located inside the Smáralind shopping center in Kópavogur.

The store was easy to spot with its orange color scheme.

A lemon-themed cafe located at the entrance to Hagkaup sold smoothies and juices.

Then, I followed the orange arrows into the store itself.

I picked up an orange basket for easy shopping.

To the left of the entrance, the cosmetics and fragrances section featured familiar brands such as Estée Lauder, Clinique, and Ralph Lauren.

There were also plenty of toiletries and skincare products. If I'd forgotten to pack anything for my trip, I would have found it here.

Further inside the store, a full produce section displayed fresh fruits and vegetables.

There was even a box of free fruit for kids to enjoy, a common feature in Nordic supermarkets.

A salad bar with prepared foods such as chicken, meatballs, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs cost 1,999 ISK, or about $15, per kilogram, or about 2.2 pounds.

A small cheese section offered wheels of Brie and wedges of Cheddar.

Hagkaup also sold a range of Icelandic salmon, one of the island country's specialties.

One liter, or about a quart, of milk cost 219 ISK, or about $1.66. It was cheaper than my local Walmart, where a quart of milk costs $1.98.

I felt right at home when I noticed American brands like Cheerios, Cocoa Puffs, and Kellogg's Corn Flakes in the grocery aisles.

The snack aisle featured Lay's chips, another familiar brand to me as an American, for 429 ISK, or about $3.25. At my local Walmart, a bag of chips costs $3.68.

I also spotted some Oreos among British treats like Cadbury chocolates and Hobnob biscuits.

The bakery section sold breads, cakes, and pastries.

I thought the colorful birthday cakes appeared fancier than grocery-store sheet cakes I've seen at bakery counters in the US.

The sweets didn't end there. I was surprised to find a full candy store called Nammiland at Hagkaup, as well.

Customers could take a paper bag and scoop out gummies, chocolates, sour belts, and other candies from giant bins.

I soon learned that "leikföng" means "toys" in Icelandic in a section full of hula hoops, stuffed animals, and other amusements.

For older kids, Hagkaup sold various sizes of bikes.

I was impressed by the arts-and-crafts section with shelves of colorful alpaca yarn. It reminded me of Michael's craft stores in the US.

I visited Iceland in June, when boots are still necessary with fast-changing weather. Hagkaup had a large selection to choose from.

With plentiful party supplies, I could imagine running out to Hagkaup to pick up a beautiful cake from the bakery and everything I'd need to host a birthday party.

Like Walmart stores, Hagkaup had a scanner to check prices as I shopped.

Hagkaup had both self-checkout and staffed cashiers. Magazines and candy at the checkout appeared to be a universal phenomenon, regardless of country.

While Hagkaup's wide array of items at affordable prices felt similar to Walmart, it was missing the pharmacy, optical, and auto sections found at many US Walmart stores.

Still, Hagkaup's robust grocery section, including a salad bar and full candy store, made me wish I could shop there more often.