Supermarket war

[Lagomtransplant]

I just got my second vaccine and my DH had his ages ago (he's got a diagnosis which made him extremely vulnerable without the vaccine, but his blood results show he responded extremely well to the vaccine, so GP is happy for us to go back to normal. We're still waiting for his consultant to chime in on this before proceeding, just in case).

Anyway, before covid, we were in constant negotiations about which supermarket to use. He prefers those like M&S, always lamenting the lack of Waitrose in our area. We did eventually settle on Sainsbury's when shopping together.

I grew up in Sweden and Lidl was our go-to supermarket for the weekly shop, and it still is for me. Most people there do it, regardless of income (my DF works for port authority, DM is a teacher, we were OK financially, but prudence was always considered a virtue). DH has this weird attitude where shopping in Lidl is something a bit embarrassing, even though he was happy to shop there when we visited. The visits there even got him from an absolute refusal to step a foot in there to an occasional visitor.

Now we're going back to normal, I want to cancel our Sainsbury's deliveries and go back to Lidl. His argument is that COVID showed we should enjoy what we have. Financially, it's not really a huge problem, but I must admit I would be happier to see the money difference in the savings account. If anything, for me COVID emphasised the importance of the rainy day pot.

So, mumsnet, please advise!

A rainy day pot is essential so if you have no savings and can only do so by switching supermarkets then it’s a no brainier.

If you can still save whilst staying with the online deliveries than maybe alternate so you are both happy.

I suppose a deciding factor is who pays for the food as well.

You're arguing about where to do the shopping? Maybe a blind taste test will sort it?

Can you not half-and-half? Surely it doesn't have to be one or the other!

@Royalbloo

As I said, he was more than happy with Lidl products in Sweden, even here he makes all the right noises about it, it's just shopping there that seems to be a bit of a no-no for him that I simply struggle to understand.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

Income isn't really a problem, we both bring in a decent amount and unfortunately, our TTC is in its 7th year and running, so no expenses on DC . All of our income is considered mutual. We do have some savings, I just don't see the point of being a bit snobbish about where you shop.

I've no problem with Lidl, but I don't use it for my main weekly shop. Any time I've tried to do that there's been too many items I couldn't get there.

He’s being stupid and a snob on top of that, sorry. Me and DH make a decent amount of money together and have always shopped at Lidl, I’ve never thought to be embarrassed about that. Not only is it generally cheaper but also easier and quicker as other supermarkets are much bigger, busier and move products around all the time.

For me, the huge advantage (over and above generally making a saving) of shopping at Aldi and Lidl is that smaller shops are quicker to get around and I don't get overwhelmed by excess choices. So I keep track of things I want or need that I can't get there and every so often do a focussed shop somewhere else which reminds me I can get round Aldi in half the time!

I haven't used online shopping so can't comment on how in person Lidl might compare with online Sainsburys. However I do like to choose my own fruit and vegetables!

@JaquelineBean interesting, I never saw it as such, but I suppose I see your point.

@Pinkblueberry

Would you kindly refrain from calling my DH stupid, otherwise I would really appreciate it if you left this thread!

Why is it even an issue? If you're doing the shopping you buy from Lidl, if he is let him buy from where he wants.

@Pythonesque

I find some things in Lidl, especially cranberry sauce and meatballs, satisfy a certain home craving for me as well...

Funny thing is, I'm more of a focused shopper, it's my DH who gets overwhelmed by choice in the big supermarkets!

@intor

It's not as much as an issue, rather a point of understanding I was hoping to get.

[quote Lagomtransplant]@JaquelineBean interesting, I never saw it as such, but I suppose I see your point.

@Pinkblueberry

Would you kindly refrain from calling my DH stupid, otherwise I would really appreciate it if you left this thread![/quote]
Well, that's gratitude for you. The poster was making the point that snobbery is stupid, not his IQ!

really no need for the stupid and snob comments pink

@EvenRosesHaveThorns

"The poster was making the point that snobbery is stupid, not his IQ!"

"He is being stupid AND a snob"

I am sorry, but I disagree!

Neither of you are being unreasonable because you can afford the extra expense. I used to do an Asda order for collection, it meant that I stuck to the budget each week but dh would want to go to Aldi to get fruit and veg anyway. We now just go to Aldi and get everything we need from there. There are certain brands I won't compromise on so when they run low I will head over to Asda otherwise we do save at least £10 on the weekly shop. Maybe compromise and do an occasional Sainsbury's shop if there is specific things he likes from there?

people get offended so quickly these days 😂

Aldi and Liddl don't deliver, so I do my main shoppings in supermarkets who do.

That's how I would decide.

@fashionablefennel

If I called you stupid, I would rightly expect mumsnet HQ to read me the riot act.

Neither of you are being unreasonable.

I don't find UK lidls as good quality for some fresh items as their continental counterparts. And at a similar price. Other items are good.

I think the best option is to visit a range of supermarkets for different items. But obviously more time consuming.

I had an Asda delivery during lockdown and as soon as it opened I went back to Aldi and Lidl. I prefer their food and choices over anywhere. Do what’s best for you.

I did a fairly large shop in Lidl yesterday, and often shop in Sainsburys too.

Yes, there are things in Sainsburys you can't get in Lidl, but then the same applies the other way round. I particularly like Lidl's bakery and the continental meats & sausages.

Sainsburys bakery isn't up to much in my opinion.

Neither of you is unreasonable.

Personally, I don't find the quality that great at Sainsburys so I would find that the worst compromise, I would rather eat food from M&S or Lidl. Do you have to shop in only one supermarket though? I use Ocado/M&S, Waitrose and Aldi. Can you compromise and shop at Lidl, M&S and Sainsburys? Either go to a different one each week or do the main shop at Lidl while he does a top up shop at M&S or Sainsburys for any special items that he doesn't like the LIdl version or they don't sell.

Yes, I think a compromise would be the best way to go.

I wouldn't go as far to say that there weren't a few things that I enjoyed from my DH's choice. I just didn't understand the hype about one supermarket being better than the other one to the point where you wouldn't be seen in one. I mean, it's a food shop, not an identity crisis.

I didn’t say he was stupid I said he was being stupid - behaving stupidly if you like... which if he’s acting embarrassed to go into a certain type of supermarket he is 🤷‍♀️ I think it’s very sweet how quick you are to defend him though.

I always do my main shopping in Lidl and my DH is a CEO. I quite often see the wives of local GPs in there and other people who I know have plenty of money. We don't have a Waitrose in town but do have Sainsburys. I pop in there to get anything I can't get in Lidl but see little point in paying more for the same products I can get in Lidl.