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Original poster

Supermarket help!

35 replies

Penguin82 · 08/01/2022 20:46

Hi! Have not long moved to england to live (family of 3) and am excited by all the amazing supermarkets and lovely food! But not sure where to buy from? Have been using sainsburys mainly but been told its not the cheapest so i guess im missing out on bargains? We have a small tesco express within walking distance, and within a 15 minute drive is a medium sized asda, medium M&S, big lidyl, big aldi, big sainsburys and big tesco! Id obviously rather not go to all every time, but would like to get into the habit of going to maybe 2 shops to do my weekly shop to make sure im getting the best for my money, maybe Aldi followed by Tesco? What do you all reccomend?
Weve got a small fridge and freezer, happy to cook from scratch with the odd pre prepared meal. Usually buy lots of meat, veg, fruit, love high protein yogurts, hummus, ice creams, and also like to buy toiletries during weekly shop where available. Oh and gin/diet tonic/red wine are usually included too!
Thanks in advance and sorry for the dull thread!

OP posts:
DroopyClematis · 08/01/2022 20:52

Tesco Express costs more than Tesco.
Sainsburys costs more than Tesco.
Morrisons is cheaper than both.
Aldi /Lidl is cheapest but the range is poor and fresh produce has a shorter shelf life.
M&S is very expensive as is Waitrose.
Waitrose Essentials are good value but everything else is a premium.
Asda seems very reasonable, according to MN, but I wouldn't know as there isn't one round here for miles.
Co-Op is very expensive but it's a local convenience store.

Paranoidandroidmarvin · 08/01/2022 20:58

Also depends on what u want. Not every shop sells the same. Sometimes I have to go to sainsburies to get a certain I want for dinner and other times I can get it at Tesco.

I use Tesco mainly because of the clubcard points. I save them up for going out for dinner or last time I used my clubcard points to buy some new dinner ware at denby.

Then if ur a wheat and a dairy free person you end up going to six different places just because they all sell different stuff.

But mainly I use Tesco 😂

Original poster
Penguin82 · 08/01/2022 21:09

Thank you! Ooh i did not know tesco express was pricier than big tesco! Ok, sounds like skipping sainsburys in favour of tesco is a good start thank you. I do have clubcards, dont know how to use the points yet but i know how to swipe the card to get points so its a start 😀

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General food
NutCheeseBag · 08/01/2022 21:11

No idea. I only have one supermarket within 20 miles.

Original poster
Penguin82 · 08/01/2022 21:12

Tesco seems like a winner! Im from a random tiny place where you can often not get basics, so im sure they will have all i need.

OP posts:
DroopyClematis · 08/01/2022 21:12

With Tesco Clubcard you'll get proper money off vouchers to use in store or exchange for entrance tickets, subscriptions , travel etc...

WeAreTheHeroes · 08/01/2022 21:16

If you have the time to go to more than one, I'd go to Also or Lidl first then go to one of the big four (Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's or Asda) for the things you can't buy there. Morrisons is cheaper than Tesco and Sainsbury's. I avoid Asda because I don't like it.

Yesthatscorrect · 08/01/2022 21:25

I find Tesco overall to be the best supermarket when you weigh up value with quality. Sainburys seems to be a more expensive version of Tesco but with not very exciting products.

We generally do most shopping at tesco and a treat shop at M&S once a month for all the tasty stuff. Morrisons is very good for meat and I do prefer the meat from there but can't be bothered to trail round different shops. If you have the time to do it then get your non perishables like tinned food, chocolate etc from Home Bargains.

leccybill · 08/01/2022 21:26

Home Bargains is a good shop for toiletries, cleaning products and snacks.

TooMuchSugar22 · 08/01/2022 21:28

I do aldi for most. I never have an issue with freshness and lasts a week. In fact some parsnips I brought on 20nd Dec I found in the spare fridge I'd forgot about and used them nyd and they were fine
Then tesco for things they don't sell. Mainly due to an allergy so have to go there.

Redwinestillfine · 08/01/2022 21:30

Asdas not very good. for cos or Sainsbury's are fine for big shops. Aldi and Lidl are ok but you'll have to top up elsewhere. Waitrose is great but pricey. Best for now and again. r

Floralnomad · 08/01/2022 21:32

I use Tesco and M & S , mainly because we live a few minutes walk away from a fair sized Tesco and a 5 minute drive from M&S , we also do a Costco run every month usually and buy large packs of Salmon fillets , haddock fillets , loo roll etc . @Penguin82 you will probably find that they do scan and shop at the larger Tesco which saves lots of time and allows you to see what you are spending as you go round which is helpful if you have a budget .

florentina1 · 08/01/2022 21:33

For shopping in Tesco make sure you get the club card and show it at the till. Lots of times you will see “club card price” . If you don’t scan your card you will be charged a higher price.

Aderyn21 · 08/01/2022 21:34

It really does depend on what you want. I love M&S but I have a big family and shopping there every time would cost more than my mortgage! I buy fresh and frozen meat in Waitrose. I do like a big Tesco though - get the club card and you will pay a lower price in store for many items and get money off vouchers. Supermarkets can vary from area to area - I have a very good Aldi and buy things like fresh pasta and fresh pizzas and sandwich meat/cheese for less money than in Waitrose. And candles/hand soap - love the middle aisle of wonder!
You really have to try them all out and decide what's best based on your family's preferences.
I di spend a fortune in the big supermarkets though - I go on for milk and come out with a dinner set and a load of toys/fleecy throws/kids pyjamas etc!

Babdoc · 08/01/2022 21:36

I think supermarkets vary between areas too. In my part of rural Scotland, Tesco has terrible fresh produce - unripe fruit and wilted greens - whereas Sainsbury's is cheaper and the fresh produce is in much better condition. I have just ordered from Waitrose for the first time, as they weren't available here before, but they are now willing to drive a 100 mile round trip to deliver to my house for £1 less than Sainsbury's delivery charge!

Original poster
Penguin82 · 08/01/2022 21:37

@Floralnomad

I use Tesco and M & S , mainly because we live a few minutes walk away from a fair sized Tesco and a 5 minute drive from M&S , we also do a Costco run every month usually and buy large packs of Salmon fillets , haddock fillets , loo roll etc . *@Penguin82* you will probably find that they do scan and shop at the larger Tesco which saves lots of time and allows you to see what you are spending as you go round which is helpful if you have a budget .
Cool thanks! I dont know what scan and shop is....sorry i am basically from another planet.
OP posts:
Original poster
Penguin82 · 08/01/2022 21:39

Thanks so much! I think i definitely need to try out the Aldi as never been in one. And am definitely ditching sainsburys for tesco.
Am wondering if ordering meat boxes is a good plan too? A friend reccomended Musclefood and i just had a look it appears good value, anyone tried?

OP posts:
SingingWaffleDoggy · 08/01/2022 21:49

Personally, I would choose Aldi/ Lidl then Tesco. And probably Aldi over Lidl as I’ve found their meat to be good quality and it’s all British Red Tractor approved, and much of their fruit and veg is seasonal British produce too.
We get a lot of Clubcard points in Tesco and use these on hotels.com or hoseasons for mini breaks

Aderyn21 · 08/01/2022 21:53

Bear in mind at Aldi, it's cheap because they have no staff on the shop floor apart from at the tills and you are expected to load the shopping back into trolley at the and of the till and pack into bags at the counters after paying. You might know this already but just to give you the heads up if you don't!

Floralnomad · 08/01/2022 22:06

@Penguin82 scan and shop is where you pick up a scanner on the way in , they are usually quite near the front of the store , you release the scanner with your clubcard ( or sparks card in M &S) and then as you pick something up to buy you scan it and pack it straight away then at the end you go to the self scan check out and pay . So no putting stuff through the tills etc . The first time and then every so often you get picked up at the check out for a random check and the assistant rescans 5/8 items . When you go to the big Tesco , if you are not sure what to do just ask an assistant , they are usually very helpful .

Ilikecheeseontoast · 08/01/2022 22:10

Go to your local butcher for meat, it will taste so much better than the supermarket’s in my opinion!

Original poster
Penguin82 · 08/01/2022 22:12

@Aderyn21

Bear in mind at Aldi, it's cheap because they have no staff on the shop floor apart from at the tills and you are expected to load the shopping back into trolley at the and of the till and pack into bags at the counters after paying. You might know this already but just to give you the heads up if you don't!
Noted, thank you 🙂
OP posts:
Glenthebattleostrich · 08/01/2022 22:15

Aldi is great for red wine (their malbec is about £6 and absolutely delicious) and their gins. Lidls Hortus gin is fantastic too

I tend to alternate between aldi and lidl with monthly big deliveries from Morrisons

Original poster
Penguin82 · 08/01/2022 22:32

This is all brilliant advice thanks heaps! Ill check out the local butchers, and scan and shop sounds good i might give that a try 🙂

OP posts:
stmw123 · 09/01/2022 00:18

Tesco Clubcard is well worth getting as you get big discounts