Makro/Lotus's Online vs In-Store — Where Are Prices Actually Lower? (10 Items Compared)
Many assume online always means cheaper — but a 60–80 THB delivery fee and a 499 THB minimum order change the whole calculation. Here's a head-to-head comparison of 10 common groceries so you know exactly what to buy where.
Price Comparison: 10 Items (June 2026)
Average prices from Makro Online / Lotus's Online vs in-store (approximate; may vary by branch and date):
| Item | In-Store (฿) | Online (฿) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasmine rice 5kg | 185 | 179 | Online 3% cheaper |
| Cooking oil 1L | 52 | 54 | In-store 4% cheaper |
| Eggs × 30 | 105 | 108 | In-store 3% cheaper |
| Bear Brand UHT milk 1L | 46 | 44 | Online 4% cheaper |
| Laundry powder 2.4kg | 159 | 149 | Online 6% cheaper |
| Tissue paper 12 rolls | 89 | 82 | Online 8% cheaper |
| Fish sauce 700ml | 39 | 42 | In-store 8% cheaper |
| Shampoo Pantene 450ml | 129 | 119 | Online 8% cheaper |
| Canned tuna 185g | 30 | 28 | Online 7% cheaper |
| Coke 1.5L | 28 | 30 | In-store 7% cheaper |
How Delivery Fees Change the Math
Ordering from Makro or Lotus's online typically adds a 40–80 THB delivery fee and a minimum order of 499–999 THB.
Example: Makro Online order of ฿600 + ฿60 delivery = ฿660 actual cost
Online prices ~5% cheaper = save ฿30 on goods
Minus ฿60 delivery fee = ฿30 more expensive than in-store
Online prices ~5% cheaper = save ฿30 on goods
Minus ฿60 delivery fee = ฿30 more expensive than in-store
Bottom line: if your order is under 1,500–2,000 THB, online rarely wins once delivery is included.
When Online Shopping Wins
- Heavy or bulky items: Laundry powder, tissue, water — you save on transport too
- Personal care products: Shampoo, soap, skincare — more online promotions
- Bulk orders: Online platforms often give extra discounts at quantity thresholds
- Online-exclusive items: Some brands are genuinely cheaper online only
When In-Store Wins
- Fresh produce: Eggs, vegetables, fruit — choose quality yourself, no damaged-goods risk
- Single bottles/units: Oil, condiments — in-store unit price is often lower
- In-store flash promos: Supermarkets run shelf discounts that don't appear online
- Urgent needs: No waiting 1–3 days for delivery
A Simple Decision Rule
Before ordering online, ask yourself three questions:
- Is my order over 1,500 THB? If yes, delivery is under 5% of total — online starts making sense.
- Do I have heavy items on the list? Tissue, laundry powder, bottled water — online saves effort too.
- Do I need fresh produce? If yes, go in-store so you can pick it yourself.
Compare online vs in-store prices now
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🔍 Compare prices nowSummary
- ✅ Online wins for large orders (1,500+ THB) or bulk/heavy items
- ✅ In-store wins for fresh produce, single units, and flash-sale items
- 💡 The best strategy is mixed — bulk heavy goods online, fresh items in-store