Dallas: Desi shelves in American supermarket spark reactions

An Indian expat living in the United States has gone viral after sharing a video from a Walmart store in Dallas that was stocked with a wide range of Indian food products. The clip, posted on Instagram by a user named Rajat, showed familiar brands such as Parle, Britannia, and Haldiram’s alongside spice mixes, sauces, and ready-to-cook items.

For many viewers, the sight of these shelves evoked nostalgia and memories of home, but it was the prices of the products that grabbed the internet’s attention.

Familiar brands in a foreign setting

Walking through the aisles of Walmart, Rajat pointed out items such as Royal brand lentils—including masoor dal and moong dal—priced at around USD 4 each (₹335 approx.). Popular snacks like Haldiram’s khatta meetha and aloo bhujia were also available for USD 4, while Parle Hide & Seek biscuits were priced at USD 4.5 (₹375 approx.).

The shelves also carried Parle-G, Britannia Good Day biscuits, biryani masala, tandoori masala, butter chicken sauce, and other spice blends—a range that caters to the large Indian diaspora in the Dallas region.

“Since there are so many Indian customers in Dallas, Walmart has to stock these products to meet their needs,” Rajat explained in the video.

Internet reacts to steep prices

While many viewers appreciated seeing Indian products in an American store, the comments section was flooded with reactions about the price difference compared to India.

One user wrote, “Oh no, it is very expensive as we compare to India.”
Another pointed out, “4 dollars ka Hide and Seek biscuit? That’s ₹320. India mai 20 ka milta. Half kg dal almost ₹400? Wow, so expensive.”

Some compared the prices with Canadian stores, suggesting that the products seemed costlier in the US, while others remarked that Indian goods have become commonplace wherever the diaspora resides.

Cultural comfort at a cost

For Indians living abroad, access to familiar food items provides a sense of connection to home. However, the viral video highlighted the price disparity that comes with importing these products. While affordability remains a concern, the presence of Indian brands in mainstream American supermarkets reflects their growing global demand.