What's good to buy in America?

[NutellaEllaElla]

I'm planning a trip and I'm going to buy big bottles of painkillers and no one can stop me! [Grin] anything else I should take advantage of while I'm there?

[squashyhat]

Make room in your case for some Skippy peanut butter in 1.1kg jars. You can get it from Amazon but it's much more expensive.

[SmithfamilyRobinson]

Depends where you go... New Orleans definitely worth a mooch around the supermarkets for spice mixes (and wonderful boutique fragrance parlour, there was also amazing vintage clothes and very individual clothing stores). Everywhere - I also like kitchen accessories and decorations. Book shops - Portland - swoon - bookshop as big as a block. Also find antiseptic creams/balm with antibiotic in CVS as well as candy. San Francisco had the cheapest vintage/thrift clothes (eg. Bought DH 2 vintage "Hawaiian" shirts (not the silk ones) for low dollars. Teens like T-shirts - usually sale rails. Love Seers chocolates especially the nutty ones - they are enormous like cakes! White box, black writing. Kiehls and Aveda are cheaper.

[whataboutbob]

I second Paige jeans. So flattering when you find the style that works with your body shape.

[allfurcoatnoknickers]

@ohdearthehouseisburningdown

Lululemon stuff a good bit cheaper in the US still and last for ages!

Yes! Also Athleta and Old Navy exercise gear. Opposite ends of the cost spectrum, but both places are excellent. The Athleta Salutation joggers are god-tier athleisure wear.

I didn't realize you can't get aerosol spray sun cream in the UK? I swear by SuperGoop, not cheap, but so good.

[gbpaln]

Old Bay seasoning, great with seafood but also on chips. Bath and Body Works, Betty Crocker / Duncan Hines Cinnamon cake mixes. Margarita mix. Antiseptic cream, Tylenol PM, ZZZQuil, Abercrombie, Loft, Crate and Barrel. Target is just the best to wonder around and see what grabs your attention, especially seasonal things, Easter / Christmas etc

[rosewater20]

I second the BandAids recommendation. I always buy loads, far better than any of the plasters in the UK.

[Blondie1984]

Big tubs of Advil and Tylenol - oh and DayQuil
OPI, Sally Hansen and Jessica nail polish from Walgreens

[ohdearthehouseisburningdown]

Lululemon stuff a good bit cheaper in the US still and last for ages!

[MisterT373]

Giant packets of Ibuprofen & paracetamol (acetomorphin)

Big ice cube trays from Bed, Bath & Beyond

M&Ms - great seasonal flavours - Sugar Cookies is my favourite.

Maglite torches

Reduced T Shirts from the Walmart clearance rack for sleeping in

Crest Cinnamon toothpaste.

Fresh tortillas (but on the day of departure and freeze when you get home)

That's just a few.

[NutellaEllaElla]

Oh I have loved J Crew and Banana Republic clothes when i've been to the US before, thanks. I've been to Banana Republic in the UK and it's nowhere near as good weirdly.

[EmmaStone]

We take an empty suitcase with us.

Luggage is great value (so you can buy your spare suitcase there!

I always buy:
Secret Scent Expressions gel deodorant
M&Ms (almond, peanut butter and other flavours)
Paige jeans (usually go to a discount mall)
Sometimes Levi's (again outlets)
Trainers (especially Nike)
VS Bras and pants
J Crew/Gap/Old Navy. I think the selection is better, prices are better (even the sales!), and quality better than what is sold here.
Make up - I go to Ulta usually
Bounce tumble drier sheets - love the scent.
Electronics - will often upgrade an Apple product as necessary. Bought our first Apple products out there.
Abercrombie stuff.
Ugg's.

Have also picked up cake mixes in the past, different Pop Tarts flavours, different popcorn flavours, handbags (Coach or Kate Spade), sunglasses. Basically any bargains or things that I like the look of that are a bit different. A decent outlet mall can be an amazing find.

Pre-Covid we didn't really buy many clothes in the UK, we'd just stock up in the US - the quality of the cotton was always far superior at the same price point.

Not sure when we'll get back now, really miss it. Normally go at Easter, but won't be able to do this year or next as DC will be doing GCSEs and A Levels.

[Grapesoda7]

Calvin klein is do much cheaper out there. My son got 2 pairs of CK pants for less than ten dollars in TJ Max.

Another one for Bath and Body works, their stuff is gorgeous! I love in the stars range.

I bring my brother back the packets of seasoning rubs for meat for his BBQs, he says they're really good.

I used to get this antiseptic cream with antibiotic in from the drugstore, but I can't remember what it's called.

Teddy Graham biscuits, the honey ones.
Happy shopping!

[rosydreams]

spray sun cream its so dam useful, can of sun cream that drys in seconds .So it does not melt off in the heat so dam useful when in Florida plus makes sun creaming a wriggling child so easy lol.

They also have creams with actual pain killers in it ,i sometimes wake up in a lot of pain from cerebral palsy in my legs. Omg i found this cream in wallmart that works so fast forgot the name but dam i could sleep .

Clothes can also be cheap ,i recommend ranch to.I love how cheap soda is ,if your out and about and thirsty.Go to mc donalds its cost a buck for a large thing of soda .

[CocktailNapkin]

Kettle's Spicy Jalapeno Chips in the green bag. Lord I wish they would stock those here, does anyone really need another variation on meat flavoured crisps?

I also bring back big tubs of painkillers and:

• BandAids and Tums
  
• Jello
  
• Jarred queso (its thicker and what I remember growing up)
  
• Kraft Mac & Cheese cups
  
• regional/local specialty food which can include cheese (especially Mexican blend), sausage, and hot sauces
  
• Chilies in adobo and anything else specialty Mexican for cooking - MUCH cheaper to get a giant bag of dried peppers for $2 or $3 than pay £3 in Sainsbos for three individual peppers.
  
• Crisco shortening sticks
  
• Anise flavouring
  

Your best bet really is to find a Trader Joes and see what you fancy, maybe check out their website before your trip. If you have a Costco card I believe you can use it in the US and the drugs are in much bigger quantities/cheaper than Walgreens/CVS.

[nettytree]

Nespresso vertuo pods are sold in supermarkets in the US. We did try to bring back cat food tins once, but customs removed them in the UK.

[TizerorFizz]

@Bunce1
And nor yours. Other points of view are valid. Luckily for me I’m not searching out bargain basement case fillers and have better things to do with my time.

[Bunce1]

@TizerorFizz Jesus Christ who took the jam out of your donut? Are you always such an downer.

Some people like walking around food shops some people like a specific soap or bra or brand of clothing. Heavens above. Some people are not identical to you with your values and outlook. Sheesh!

[TizerorFizz]

Cheaper than Gap? Fap has permanent sales on line. Honestly these shops are not great these days. The fun of shipping in the USA is finding something different or better. Few things in cheap stores are different or better. Why bring home cheap soaps? We have wonderful ones here. It’s just lugging stuff back that’s cheap enough to buy here with a great choice. We have wonderful artisan soap makers.

[Groovytiger]

Go and have a look at Old Navy - owned by Gap but must cheaper. Melatonin as you can't get it in the UK. Maybeline is far cheaper too. And the wonderful sets put together at Sephora.

[MaybeHeIsMyCat]

Tree hut body scrubs if you like a really scrubby one, they come in loads of scents

[layna12]

Bath and Body Works Candles/Soap/Body Spray and Victorias Secret.

I've been going since I was 8 months old (family just outside of Miami) and I am a B&BW and VS addict.

You can get a small selection of B&BW in Next now but it's nothing compared to out there, VS is obviously sold over here but the deals in the shops are amazing. I've got bras that are 7-8 years old and still like new.

[TizerorFizz]

You wouldn’t heed to! Next sell them in the uk.

[BritWifeInUSA]

This is interesting. Had never thought that we have anything here that you can’t readily get in the UK. Except Bath and Body works hand soaps. If I ever moved away from the US I would come back just to buy those soaps.

[ADialgaAteMyDog]

Maxi pads! If you use them, the selection is incredible. Bulky to bring back though.

[NotaMary]

Fabric for quilt making. Superior ranges to choose from and much much cheaper.