New York City - Tesco Express equivalent?

[TerriPie]

Hi,

Will be going to NYC later this year and wondered if there are any supermarket type shops for picking up picnic style basics (juice, sandwiches, crisps, salad bags etc) and toiletries as we're going hand luggage only?

I know they don't have Tesco Express but are there any equivalents?

7/11, which are everywhere

Also CVS & Walgreens are ubiquitous pharmacy chains which also sell groceries, drinks, beer, snacks etc etc. There’s one on every block.

all of the above and target as well

Can't pass a corner without one..... it's NYC!

I normally head to CVS.

If you want sandwiches look for Delis, they're all over the place too.

Ready made sandwiches aren't such a thing - there's plenty of delis though for freshly made. There's stands all over the place for cheapish eats too plus people selling fresh fruit. Cheapest option is usually pizza by the slice, saw it as lid as $1.50 a large slice.

One tip I have is to bring a knife if checking luggage and pick up bagels and fillings making your own picnic, I brought a roll of plastic sandwich bags with me too. New York is very very expensive, even though it was just 2 of us and we aren't low income

Toiletries are very expensive in America. A lot more than you would pay in England.

You sure you don't want to check a case in?

No, there's no shops to buy anything in New York.

7/11, CVS everywhere

Buying toiletries in a downtown pharmacy like CVS is very expensive. Where you can pick up a cheap deodorant for a pound in Tesco here it will cost at least 6 dollars. I would check a bag. I find it’s much less stressful in the airport when you just have a small carry on as well. Walgreens is usually better than CVS for food, but there are loads of food stands which will be cheaper and more fun.

I’ve moved back to the UK now but I sorely miss Trader Joe’s. Grocery prices are very reasonable indeed. There a quite a few scattered around NYC (you can google to see a map of their locations):

www.traderjoes.com

Avoid Wholefoods as it’s known as Whole Pay Check!

How long will you be staying?

Would multiple small (3.4oz) airline friendly bottles of your own shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, etc. be an option?

Walgreens, CVS, etc. carry big name brands of toiletries in a wide range of prices. They also sell their own brand equivalents.

Most solid stick deodorant is under 3.4ozs and won't cause any issues in your carry on luggage.

You can check the weight of your favourite deodorant and if it's under 100 g you're good to go.

Target and Walgreens for prepacked sandwiches and salads, crisps and drinks. Toiletries like deodorants are really expensive compared to UK, I'd pick those up in duty free on the way over although deodorant should fit within the 100ml rule in your carry on. Most hotels will have shower gel.

If you order your toiletries for collection from the airport Boots (or buy them there) they don’t count towards your luggage limit.

Walgreens and CVS sell sandwiches as well as some pre packaged foodstuffs. Also look for Duane Reade in NYC.

Why hand luggage only?.

You can readily buy toiletries at Boots with no need to pre order.

Just buy what you need airside before you fly. You’ll have a boots or a Superdrug I would have thought. It’s bloody expensive in NYC but so there are places everywhere to buy but as someone above said, a deodorant airside will be £1. In NYC it’s 6 times that at least.

Edited to add, what you buy airside is after security so you don’t need to worry about the liquid rules.

Food wise, again expensive but you can get pizza slices easily enough. There are better options in NYC than a pre packed sandwich.

Definitely don't buy toileteries.

There are some Pret a Manger in NY as well.

Depending what you want to do in NY, you will find normal supermarkets as well.

There are a few Wholefoods, and plenty of corner store type places. And if you go to Target and shops like that there is usually food items.

We went over last Summer (and used to go quite regularly before things got so EXPENSIVE).

We also only had hand luggage. We went into Target for toiletries and the cheapest shower gel was $8 and we weren’t even in Manhattan/tourist town.

Getting food on the go is so such easier over there. Every corner is pizza sold by the slice (and my favourite type of pizza) for a couple of dollars. There’s no need for the Tesco type meal deals over there as buying a hot lunch either from the delis works out the same price (and much nicer!)

Also mentioned by PP you can just go to boots after security and buy whatever you need. I’ve seen a ‘hack’ whereby you can order online and pick up click and collect to pay normal prices but I’ve not tried it myself.

Don't buy food from Duane Reade or CVS 🤢 Listen, it's NYC, you won't starve. Not only are there supermarket type shops, there are actual supermarkets.

There is a shop selling food on every single street corner. Duane Reade and all of the drug stores is the worst food option available. Go to a bodega (deli) and buy a freshly made sandwich. Buy a slice of pizza or a bagel from the pizzeria or bagel store. A falafel from a food truck. Hot dogs and knishes from street vendors. Buy fruit from the fruit cart guys. If you want groceries go to the grocery store, there are thousands and they are visibly grocery stores so you won't miss them!

My husband once went to the shop for a handful of items and 'only' took a $50 bill out with him. He had to put back a bag of peppers because he didn't have enough. Food is much more expensive in NYC and sometimes it's cheaper to eat out than cook

We got there the first night and thought we’ll nip out for some bits for the apartment. $16 for a basic frozen pizza. $8 for a whole-grain loaf. Absolutely shat ourselves.

It’s cheaper to eat from delis and bodegas than cook anything much you’d really want to eat, and I hope you like pizza! Toiletries are cheaper with more choice here. I spent ages trying to get a decent facial sunblock and that was in Manhattan, not some little town. Ended up paying $35 for it, so definitely go to Boots before you fly, unless you fancy some of the $13 cans of Sure that are kept in locked cases in the CVS on Broadway. Dystopian AF 😂

Thanks folks, will look out for CVS, there's a store in the next block over 😀.

Our flight isn't direct and the cost to add 1 hold case is £200 each way so I'm happy to throw $20 at some deodorant and shower gel (never like hotel stuff).

We're a bit tight for time at Heathrow and I'm not sure we'll have enough time for shopping so I'm planning on buying stuff but will head to Boots if we do have time.