Supermarket Chat

[prinnygrace]

I shop in aldi, usually £25-£30 for just me per week. But I do often have bits left at the end of the week too depending on how much I’ve snacked I nip to Morrison’s for Pepsi max as they don’t sell it at aldi but not doing it at the minute because the fewer shops the better... Just settling for the second best option of Diet Coke

I use hello fresh maybe once a month too depending on the menu

 

[Tree_]

About 125 for 2 adults and 2 under 5s a week. Will be more now my son isn't being fed by school. Luckily he's happy to bake muffins with me and keep the price down

 

[Bubblesdahling]

Dread to think how much I spend on shopping each week. During lockdown it's probably about £150 a week for me, husband, 2 teens and an 8yr old. 2 guinea pigs who have plenty of veggies too. Usually about £100 ish when not homeschooling.
I shop wherever the offers are, I'm a shopping floozy! Nearest is Lidl, good for meat and the bakery, then Aldi where I park for the school run. Iceland, asda and morrisons are also regularly where I shop. No Sainsburys or Tesco near enough. I use Costco for certain things as it is close and easy to just pop down.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

My weekly ‘big shop’ is Aldi for 80% of it then Tesco for the other stuff I can’t get on the way back. Love treating myself with Clubcard points too, they add up! I do end up getting bits in between from my local co op (excellent yellow sticker mark downs in there sometimes) or I will pop in somewhere else if I’m out and about which I’m obviously not at the moment! I like Lidl too and I’ll go there if I’ve been to the gym as it’s nearby.

Aldi have started doing more and more things I used to have to get elsewhere eg. expanding their herbs and spice range, bigger selection of tinned beans/pulses etc. I just tried their new vegan mince this week for £1.99 and it’s the best one I’ve tried!

Sorry that was long winded... I actually love supermarket shopping, when I was growing up we didn’t have much money and it was always ‘put that back’ so I love being able to get what I want myself. Also because of this reason I’m very price conscious and love a bargain

 

[kev1974]

We are spoilt where I live, I have a mega Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose, Aldi and Iceland all within walking distance. And Asda are down the road in the next town. Loads of Co-ops in each of the the villages round about, and I think Morrisons are about 10 miles away.

No M&S anywhere near though, except two little petrol station ones on the bypass. My mother was horrified at there being no M&S. I think she goes to the massive M&S in Newcastle almost every day it's like an old people's centre for her.

But when I do occasionally go into a proper M&S (not the petrol station pretend M&S) it just looks to me like they are the world's biggest purveyor of ready meals and junk food treats really aren't they. They are upmarket Iceland, but in a fridge not a freezer. Yes I know they have a token counter or two of fresh veg and the odd set of shelves of tinned ingredients and toilet paper, but who goes there for any of that? It's all about infinite ways to make every treat going out of the Percy Pig theme and the ready meals in M&S.

I do like their bone-in chicken kiev from M&S though. They are a thing of wonder. We probably have that every couple of months and really look forward to it.

We also have a couple of "general" shops that are like a mini B&M selling all kinds of cheap tat but their food aisles are brilliant. One is called Thing-Me-Bobs and has branches in several of the local towns and the other one I can't remember the name of but it's in the former Woolworths shop in the next town. They are both brilliant for weird biscuits, crisps, and sweets from Europe, or odd "special edition" flavours that UK manufacturers have tried out but even Poundland and B&M didn't want. Love those shops, always come away with a giant carrier bag of wacky flavours and cheap junk when I go there.

 

[Interestingbitsnbats]

I dont drive so aldi my main supermarket when I'm not at work. Lidl when I'm at work when I know someone's driving me home. I do if I'm really low and need it walk to asda or even sainsburys. But it takes a while and cant buy a full shop so feel naughty.

 

[NP]

How much to do you all spend a week for how many adults/ children?

I currently spend over £100 every week for 2 adults. want to try and bring it down!

We spend around £100 a week on 2 adults, one preteen and one toddler. It used to be around £80 but what with being at home all year it’s gone up. If I try to spend less I end up doing a top-up shop midweek anyway!

 

[NoseyScouser94]

I am a snob when it comes to food Aldi & Lidl I have never shopped in and never will.. whenever I walk past one the smell that comes out knocks me sick just reminds me of spanish supermarkets with the meat hanging from the roof I hate morrisons for meat as it always seems to smell gone off.. I usually get my shopping from sainsburys or M&S at the moment or Asda as my frenchie is picky in what food he likes and I can only get the food he eats from Asda the only meat we are eating is chicken as I am pregnant and like my beef rare and fish is not agreeing with my stomach at the moment..

 

[McNuggets]

I do one shop a week. I shop in Sainsbury’s. Two adults, two children. Usually about £120 a week. Don’t know if that’s too much or not

They have nice fruit and vegetables, and their flowers always last a long time too.

Our Sainsbury’s is big, but not huge. Sometimes the choice is limited.

 

[kev1974]

I am a snob when it comes to food Aldi & Lidl I have never shopped in and never will.. whenever I walk past one the smell that comes out knocks me sick just reminds me of spanish supermarkets with the meat hanging from the roof I hate morrisons for meat as it always seems to smell gone off.. I usually get my shopping from sainsburys or M&S at the moment or Asda as my frenchie is picky in what food he likes and I can only get the food he eats from Asda the only meat we are eating is chicken as I am pregnant and like my beef rare and fish is not agreeing with my stomach at the moment..

I've never noticed a smell coming out of Aldi!

Chavsda probably has a smell, or Angry Asda as we call it due to the number of people that would always be fighting and/or menacing in the Old Kent Road and Clapham Junction branches we used to have to go to, when living in London.

 

[watermelon sugar]

I do our food shop in Asda, about 70/80 a week for the 3 of us, 2 adults and a 10 month old.

There's no Aldi by us, I wish there was I love it. Although the other month I did a food shop there and thought it was tit but I think that's cos I werent used to it

I like some of the stuff from Morrisons and Sainsburys but I deffo prefer Asda. I like Tesco too but none near me. Can't stand Lidl! The bakery is good though

I think I'm gonna switch to getting my meat from a butcher rather than the Asda. The 3 for 10 deal is good for Asda, we do that sometimes

 

[under the ivy]

I get an online shop from Tesco most weeks - some of the substitutions are ridiculous so I tend to opt out of subs. I live 5 minutes from an Aldi so I walk there during the week to do top-up shops.

I love M&S food but only buy them when I’m in town or if I can get an Ocado slot. Some of the Ocado stuff I’ve had is nice too. I’m really not keen on Asda!

We spend around £100 - moved back home so there’s me, my mum & 11 year old brother. I usually buy my own food as I’m starting to be vegetarian again and no one else is.

 

[Lalla]

I started shopping in Aldi in lockdown 1, as it was the only place that had a decent range of stock when everyone else was sold out of loo roll and pasta! It also had far shorter queues than Tesco, Asda etc.

It definitely is cheaper than the main supermarkets. The only downside is they don't have a bakery so no fresh bread. Our Lidl has a bakery but is small and hasn't been refurbished in about 15 years so it always looks really shabby.

I stopped shopping in Morrisons last year because the shop is always so crowded and no one social distanced at all. Plus none of the staff wear masks even though they should be (I understand about exemptions etc but can't believe that applies to every member of staff!)

 

[WilmaHun]

I tend to shop at Asda the most. I have tried Lidl and hated it. Also tried Aldi, didn't hate it but found it annoying that I couldn't get everything I wanted all in one place. I like Morrisons but I do think it's more expensive than Asda. Not a fan of Tesco at all (although I like their clothes!)

 

[mochibean]

I am a snob when it comes to food Aldi & Lidl I have never shopped in and never will.. whenever I walk past one the smell that comes out knocks me sick just reminds me of spanish supermarkets with the meat hanging from the roof I hate morrisons for meat as it always seems to smell gone off.. I usually get my shopping from sainsburys or M&S at the moment or Asda as my frenchie is picky in what food he likes and I can only get the food he eats from Asda the only meat we are eating is chicken as I am pregnant and like my beef rare and fish is not agreeing with my stomach at the moment..

You do realise that M&S food is exactly the same as Aldi.. it's all the same, comes from the same place, just in different packaging.
I worked previously preparing food for M&S, Aldi, Morrisons and Asda. Meat, ready meals, the lot. All from the same place.

I've also worked for various supermarkets and can say it is all very much the same. I used to be such a snob too until I saw where it comes from and all that. Still a snob with certain things, like beans & ketchup it HAS to be Heinz. Any cheap beans or ketchup make me ill.

I will say Aldi and Asda are my go to because they're close and I can get everything I need. I won't shop at Morrisons after seeing the behind the scenes there, especially the cafe. Save yourselves and avoid Morrisons cafe. Won't say why but honestly I've never seen anything like it!

 

[gliblyglobbo]

Sorry for the random question but does anyone know if the M&S clothes stores are open if they have a food hall, or is just the food hall open inside the stores? I'm in desperate need of new bras but I don't want to voyage out only to discover I can't get them

 

[Giggling Squid]

You do realise that M&S food is exactly the same as Aldi.. it's all the same, comes from the same place, just in different packaging.
I worked previously preparing food for M&S, Aldi, Morrisons and Asda. Meat, ready meals, the lot. All from the same place.

I've also worked for various supermarkets and can say it is all very much the same. I used to be such a snob too until I saw where it comes from and all that. Still a snob with certain things, like beans & ketchup it HAS to be Heinz. Any cheap beans or ketchup make me ill.

I will say Aldi and Asda are my go to because they're close and I can get everything I need. I won't shop at Morrisons after seeing the behind the scenes there, especially the cafe. Save yourselves and avoid Morrisons cafe. Won't say why but honestly I've never seen anything like it!

I prefer shopping in M&S / Waitrose because of the shopping experience more than the food products....

 

[mochibean]

I prefer shopping in M&S / Waitrose because of the shopping experience more than the food products....

Yeah I get this, I find M&S and Waitrose quite relaxing! My closest Waitrose is so big but always so empty and it's just nice to walk around.

 

[Giggling Squid]

Yeah I get this, I find M&S and Waitrose quite relaxing! My closest Waitrose is so big but always so empty and it's just nice to walk around.

Exactly! Asda is my nearest supermarket but it’s so stressful, especially at the moment. They’ve both been so good with social distancing and controlling numbers ever since the whole covid thing, and I just feel more comfortable there so much prefer spending a little more to avoid the stress.

I actually got sworn at in Asda the other day for asking someone to brushed against me to try and grab something in front of me to keep her distance

 

[under the ivy]

You do realise that M&S food is exactly the same as Aldi.. it's all the same, comes from the same place, just in different packaging.
I worked previously preparing food for M&S, Aldi, Morrisons and Asda. Meat, ready meals, the lot. All from the same place.

I've also worked for various supermarkets and can say it is all very much the same. I used to be such a snob too until I saw where it comes from and all that. Still a snob with certain things, like beans & ketchup it HAS to be Heinz. Any cheap beans or ketchup make me ill.

I will say Aldi and Asda are my go to because they're close and I can get everything I need. I won't shop at Morrisons after seeing the behind the scenes there, especially the cafe. Save yourselves and avoid Morrisons cafe. Won't say why but honestly I've never seen anything like it!

I’ve heard this before re: ready meals. Off topic but Next and Primark bedding are made in the same factory (abroad I assume).