Supermarkets good and bad

[Warpaint]

Where do you shop and where do you avoid?

Of the big ones I can think off the top of my head -

M&S - Use this quite a lot when I'm passing it. Even though it's on the pricey side at times I do find the products good quality and worth it.

Co-op - Tend to go here a lot but trying to cut down. I didn't used to notice, but now I realise it's pretty expensive. It's one of those places I'll always spend more than I intended.

Iceland - Cheap and cheerful when needing some quick items. Good on pizzas!

Sainsbury's - These have gone rapidly down in quality over the years. I never even see the big stores anymore, just little convince ones that are generally tit. Not a lot of stock or range.

ADSA - Find their stores very dated

Morrison's - Same as ASDA, need to up their game.

Lidl/Aldi - I've found I can never complete a full shop in these as their stock is quite random at times.

 

[Notworthy]

Sainsburys and Waitrose, can't bear Morrisons and Asda, their fresh fruit just seems to go from unripe to rotten in the space of an hour. I use Savers for Household products about 6 miles away and it's next door to an M & S food so I drop in there too at the same time. M&S tinned Curries are better than the ready meal ones in Sainsburys and obviously have a far longer shelf life.

 

[carriebooboo]

Sainsbury's - These have gone rapidly down in quality over the years. I never even see the big stores anymore, just little convince ones that are generally tit. Not a lot of stock or range.

Agree 100% with this. We have two local Sainsbos and the smaller one always smells like the bread has gone off. Tried them for delivery and always had items out of stock or what they did deliver would have same day expiry dates.

I use M&S a lot, great products, worth the extra.

Tesco is my fave for deliveries. Very reliable, hardly any substitutions and the use by dates are always long.

 

[jarv]

I generally like Lidl but I get so frustrated at only 1 or 2 tills being open when it's packed - I know it's their business model but still annoying. I have to remind my boyfriend that if he is only going in for milk or bread it's not worth the hassle. But we do manage to get all our food from there and just top up at bigger supermarkets elsewhere.

 

[coconochanel]

I like Asda as they have the biggest range of food, M&S as their stuff is delicious and I don't mind Sainsburys and Tesco as they seem to have new items exclusively to them.

I'm not keen on Aldi as you always end up going somewhere else for what you cant get at there and I hate Lidl.

 

[Cereal Killer]

Bad supermarkets:
Lidl and Aldi - the veg goes spoils quickly, meat is poor quality and the till system annoys me.
Sainsbury’s - bakery sells the best cookies but their fresh fruit and vegetables spoil quickly too. I do like the tu clothing though.
Good supermarkets:
M&S - amazing but pricey. Buy special treats occasionally.
Tesco - their club card price offers are really good, also their fresh fruit and veg is always reasonably priced
Asda - main place we shop as works out cheaper for tins and store cupboard stuff but I always spend so much money when I go.

 

[coconochanel]

Bad supermarkets:
Lidl and Aldi - the veg goes spoils quickly, meat is poor quality and the till system annoys me.
Sainsbury’s - bakery sells the best cookies but their fresh fruit and vegetables spoil quickly too. I do like the tu clothing though.
Good supermarkets:
M&S - amazing but pricey. Buy special treats occasionally.
Tesco - their club card price offers are really good, also their fresh fruit and veg is always reasonably priced
Asda - main place we shop as works out cheaper for tins and store cupboard stuff but I always spend so much money when I go.

Sainsburys donuts are delicious.

 

[bubbadabut]

Morrisons have the worst store layouts in the world. It's the reason I only use them as a last resort. Nothing is linear or where you'd expect it to be. At my local they have also diverted the trolley queue through the clothing section, so if you've only popped in for essential baby items, you have to negotiate your way through rows and rows of people queueing up to pay.

Staff there seem to be a little too over-zealous with their Covid powers too.

 

[mochibean]

Agree with Morrisons. They just seem really outdated to me and their prices are too high imo.

 

[bunnyboo]

Ireland here, so apologies if no-one knows some of these supermarkets.

From worst to best:

Lidl and Aldi - Nah. Fruit and vegetables are bad quality, till system is annoying as duck. I'm vegetarian so I don't know much about their meats, but the eggs/dairy products aren't great either.
Dunnes Stores - Wannabe M&S these days. The only problem is their quality is no-where near M&S. They usually have a good selection of Quorn/vegetarian alternatives though, that tend to be on special offer.
SuperValu - Meh. It's alright, but I'm not a huge fan of their own brand stuff. I like the fact that they support small Irish food producers (basically getting them from start up to products on their shelves), it's always nice to try something new from a small Irish company.
M&S - I wouldn't do a big shop here lol (I'm not rich!), but I do like to pick up a few bits and pieces from their foodhalls. Always good for treats/special occasions.
Tesco - Usually where I buy the bulk of my groceries. Brands I want at low-ish prices, good selection too.

When I cross the border, I usually stop in Sainsburys for some products we can't get in the Republic. Their bakery section is unreal. Oh and if any of you in Ireland don't know, you can buy painkillers for duck all up the north, no more paying €10 for a box of asprin... you can get the same thing for €1.50 up north!

 

[realhousewivewannabe]

So glad we have this thread. I’ve had stones, bones and other foreign bodies in the products I’ve bought from Lidl, I’ve only been there twice. Complained and haven’t heard back. Disgusting

love M&S, Iceland and Sainsbury’s

I like Aldi but I swear the fruit goes off within hours. I bought blueberries and strawberries overnight it was like mould appeared yet the best before date was over 5 days away.

I also love Poundland and Savers for toiletries, cleaning products and snacks.

 

[Tinkerbell cat]

I only really go to Tesco or M&S because they are the closest ones really, However I find M&S so hit and miss. We have two close to us and both of them have a terrible layout that are constantly changing so every week when you go in its different again. The shelves are always really empty and its hit or miss if you will actually get what you went in for which is disappointing.
I get alcohol/food in Tesco but get my cleaning/toiletries etc from Home Bargains or Savers because its just loads cheaper.

 

[Warpaint]

Oh I forgot about Tesco. They're hit and miss for me - similar to Sainsbury's I only seem to come across their smaller convenience stores now. Used to go in all the time but rarely bother these days. May have to give it another try.

 

[Hodgies]

I get 99% of my shopping delivered from Tesco. I don't like their stores but for delivery they are the best. App is easy to use, rarely have any issues with substitutions or missing items and delivery people usually pleasant (apart from one guy I seem to get every few weeks, he's a miserable git).

I have the odd Asda or Sainsbury's click and collect as they both do things that I like and because only having the same options week after week becomes quite dull! Sainsbury's is way more expensive but you get options other places don't have. I have a big store really close so it's my preferred mooch shop, also like their clothes. Asda I try to avoid in store as much as I can.

Aldi/Lidl I don't really bother with. They're somewhere I might jump into for a few bits but not interested in doing a full shop there.

Used to really like M&S but haven't really been in since this whole thing happened and can't get their food delivered (no Ocado available).

Morrisons aren't near enough to go to. They seem nice enough but I'd have to pass all the other supermarkets to get there which seems pointless. Don't know enough of their delivery service to want to risk it.

Iceland good for a shop too, great for refilling the freezer.

 

[Basic]

Coles and Woolies (Australia) the two main supermarkets. I miss M&S!

 

[DCICassieStuart]

Aldi and Tesco are closest to me, so I tend to do most of mine there.
Iceland is across town, so I don't go that often as it's a nightmare getting stuck in traffic.
M&S I like for treats etc, but wouldn't do a full shop there.
Lidl is my next closest. I don't go that often. I prefer Aldi, but I suppose it just depends on what you're used too.
Poundland/B&M etc for cleaning stuff and some toiletries.

 

[The Dowager]

Sainsburys donuts are delicious.

As soon as I saw this tweet I thought of Sainsburys, my love of their doughnuts, and their clear and obvious love for the nation by making such delicious doughnuts.

 

[Ensay]

Mostly Sainsbury's because it's closest and the most convenient. I do find them to be a bit overpriced, though.

I sometimes go to M&S Food if I just want a few bits and pieces or some treats. The quality never disappoints.

 

[peachhes]

Aldi is our go to because we’re on a budget and I prefer it to Lidl.

Tesco I try and avoid as I just find it crap, and it’s the furthest away from my house.

Asda is ok, find it has the best range out of the big supermarkets. Also like their nappies and baby snacks for my toddler.

Sainsbury’s is my enemy, it’s super close to my house so I nip there too often and I get my fuel from there too. But I find it mega expensive and things are hardly ever on offer there.

M&S is too expensive for me daily but if I’m feeling fancy I’ll get something from there. Everything is so good. Then little

 

[Rainbow1]

M&S - I don’t mind paying a little extra when it’s going to be nice and find their deals (3 for £10 on meat, dine in for £10) good value. Only off put for me is everytime I go with a newborn in a pram they ask if I want a basket or a trolley?
Baskets are the wheel kind so that’s bad enough but seriously how does one navigate a trolley and a pram? Small gripe but it infuriates me everytime they ask

Aldi- Feel their meat quality has gone down in recent years and goes off way before the use by on packet

Lidl- have a soft spot for their bakery but wish it was pre wrapped! Especially now can’t bear to get pastry goods that anyone could of handled/poked/sneezed on/licked ha