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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What’s actually wrong with ASDA?

271 replies

Stopitjuststopit2018 · 09/05/2018 19:58

I never knew that it was seen as “low end” until recently, escalated by the merger news. I think they have nice own brand stuff, are good value, and their stores are well presented with lots of variety . I find the George clothing nice as well and it doesn’t rip or bobble as much as some of the other supermarket brand clothes.

Is the view that it’s chavvy a southern thing?

OP posts:
GaryWilmotsTeeth · 09/05/2018 21:00

I love my local Asda. It’s massive, got a great selection, I actually find the meat good quality but possibly because we are in Wales and they specifically use welsh farms so maybe different to English stores?

I get loads of basic kids clothes from there, especially socks, vests, pants etc.

And it’s got a great car park with millions of p&c spaces.

Also DD3 has a weird obsession with the freaky massive gnomes they sell. she hugs them and tries to kiss them and pretends to feed them (I think she thinks they are real) Blush

DevilsDoorbell · 09/05/2018 21:00

Can’t stand Asda. Food quality is shit. Would have to be the only shop for miles for me to use it.

cliffdiver · 09/05/2018 21:00

I agree with PP that ASDA is particularly low quality - especially their meat produce.

The only reason I would shop at ASDA would be to stock up on branded products (Fairy liquid, Goodies bars, washing detergents etc.) that are inevitably cheaper.

Im almost as Southern as you can get (SE, on the coast) and ASDA is definitely viewed as a low quality supermarket - more so that LIDL / ALDI.

redeyetonowheregood · 09/05/2018 21:01

When I lived in a large Scottish city I shopped at a double storey asda regularly. Was shocked when I moved down to Cambridgeshire. The quality of the fruit and vegetables was poor in comparison and as a vegetarian that really matters so stopped going there. Also the clientele were noticeably different.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 09/05/2018 21:01

It's not great. Better than Tesco though.

Justanotherlurker · 09/05/2018 21:02

When these types of conversations come up just mention that anyone who has ever worked in a packing company etc will have seen the same food go through and labelled differently for different supermarkets. Same product just different packaging.

Also mention that all those hand baskets and trolleys have never been cleaned, whatever store you go into.

Some stores have better products than others, hence why blind tasting tests do not have a clear winner all the time.

The80sweregreat · 09/05/2018 21:02

Harrods food hall is incredible but imagine shopping there all the time! Even if I won the big lotto I just wouldn’t. Too posh for me.

lhastingsmua · 09/05/2018 21:02

Probably depends on your local area, in my experience of living in West and North London and Birmingham/Coventry, Asda’s are in more run down areas and tend to be messy/unkept at the best of times. (The same way M&S would generally be located in a nicer area). That could just be the ones that were nearest to me at the time though, but that’s the impression I have. Visiting Asda is literally desperate measures for me as I don’t enjoy most of their own brand vegetarian food, just doesn’t taste very nice.

MrsJBaptiste · 09/05/2018 21:02

I hate to say it but the Asda near us is the only supermarket where there have been fights outside and there are several security guards hanging around the entrance. Tesco is ok but Sainsburys is the nicest supermarket by far near us but definitely the most expensive.

I do go to Asda but always get so cross when I pay and don't get anything for it - Clubcard points in Tesco, Nectar points in Sainsburys... nothing in Lidl but that's such a bargain that I don't resent that!

cheshiremama89 · 09/05/2018 21:03

Interesting @WeWere0nABreak

I consider...

Harrods/Harvey Nics/Fortnums
M&S
Waitrose
Booths
Sainsbury's
Co-op
Tesco
Morrisons
Asda
Aldi
Lidl

No experience of Netto

pictish · 09/05/2018 21:03

Personally I find the quality just isn’t there and it’s cheaper because their produce isn’t as good as Tesco or Sainsbury. Their own brand stuff is terrible. I never shop for food there.

BigPinkBall · 09/05/2018 21:03

When I was younger I always assumed that our local Morrison’s was due a refit and had all the original signage etc from the 1960’s, until they bought out Safeway and fitted out all the old Safeway stores in the same crappy design - I just can’t shake the feeling that Morrison’s is old fashioned and it really puts me off.

bookmum08 · 09/05/2018 21:04

I find the food I buy is pretty much the same at whatever supermarket I go to. I buy most of mine at Sainsburys and Iceland - because they are both a five minute walk away and I don't have a car. For non food I really like Asda for the George clothing and will travel to one specificly for clothes shopping. Tesco and Sainsburys I like for their toys and children's crafts and books etc. Morrisons I like for things like their sausage rolls and cakes but I wouldn't make a special trip to one just because of those. A general food shop though is a general food shop. I go to which ever supermarket is nearest. I never understand this love /hate thing over a supermarket.

londonrach · 09/05/2018 21:06

Asda is expensive for the bits i buy. Clothes are good. I find asda more expensive than waitrose. Only sainsburys is more expensive than asda. I dont buy crisps, choc etc.

FreeMantle · 09/05/2018 21:07

But the fact that it's shoppers are seen dead rough us a good thing surely?
I swan round feeling very smug that I am a fit and healthy looking size 12, with my trolley full of veg and better quality wine.
Much better for the soul than trapsing round Waitrose behind some immaculate size 8, putting £20 olive oil and fresh salmon at £6.50 a steak in her trolley. And what's with Waitrose meat counter and people buying food for their animals. Just depressing their dogs eat better than most peoplecI know.

SilverySurfer · 09/05/2018 21:07

NotUmbongoUnchained
Our old Asda was actually better quality than the Waitrose!

Really? I can't begin to imagine how.

I have an Asda nearby which is useful if I have forgotten to order something for my delivery. I only eat free range meat so wouldn't buy their meat or ready meals, it doesn't have a huge choice of fruit and veg, it's ok for fresh bread, newspapers, alcohol, milk etc.

I would definitely place it below Tescos

The80sweregreat · 09/05/2018 21:08

Morrison’s does have this ‘1950s ‘ vibe but they play music in our one and the baguettes are lovely. People are friendly too - don’t rush through the till on speed like Lidl staff!

londonrach · 09/05/2018 21:08

List of the best supermarkets...ldll, morrisons and tesco best supermarkets in my area. Waitrose ok but more expensive. Asda and sainsburys i cant afford to shop there

SharkSave · 09/05/2018 21:08

Asda is great for non-food items but their veg, fruit and meat is shit.

NotUmbongoUnchained · 09/05/2018 21:08

silvery

The Waitrose that used to be local to me had really bad meat. It was all really fatty and the veg and fruit would go off after just a few days.

Nice bread though 👍🏻

pointythings · 09/05/2018 21:09

Our ASDA is in an affluent area and I think that does make a difference. I've been to ASDA in other areas and it's been different - no Fever Tree in stock, for example. But all supermarkets adapt to their local population so that's to be expected.

Finderscrispy · 09/05/2018 21:10

I think it might also depend on where you live. I live between 2 towns with an Asda in each. One’s a tatty scruffy place close to a town centre, frequented by drunks and assortment of odd bods. The other is a massive one on outskirts of town, this one in comparison is ‘posh’.
I guess the people from town with scruffy Asda think it’s crap, whereas big Asda folk probably think it’s quite nice.

The80sweregreat · 09/05/2018 21:12

No fever tree products!
Come to think of it our one doesn’t do this.
It must be down market place.
I saw ‘artisan ‘ water in Waitrose. I did wonder

zen1 · 09/05/2018 21:13

We actually drive 10 miles to Asda to do the main shop, even though there is a Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrison’s within walking distance. Staff are always helpful, the food is fresh (unlike the Sainsbury’s where you’d be lucky to get 1 day on the bread before it’s out of date). I also like looking at the clothes. Prices are good too.

Chocolateandchaos · 09/05/2018 21:14

I used to shop in Waitrose ans bought fruit in M&S. Following a huge life change I have been shopping in ASDA for some time. I definitely preferred the choice of food in Waitrose, especially the vegetarian food. Some very unusual things I can't get from other supermarkets.

But Asda food is fine - And is not pig swill. What an awful thing to say about the food some of us eat and feed our children. Quite demeaning to those on a tight budget. I would say we eat a simpler range of food these days. I so a lot more cooking from scratch, rarely buy anything ready made. Food probably serves a purpose rather than being exciting but that's ok.

I always stop in Lidl for bread rolls when I've made soup. The bakery is great.

I definitely haven't noticed anything remarkable about the staff or customers.