Normally I wouldn't bother to read about supermarket price comparisons, but for some reason I did with this one when it appeared on my news feed.
I'm not someone who buys things because they're 'cheap'. I buy because I need things, and I want reasonable quality. The price usually doesn't concern me; unless it's a lump of Beef or a case of Pécharmant.
Firstly I should say that other than at Christmas I would never spend £130-150 on my weekly shop. Usually it's around £60-80 (including wine).
I was pretty certain that Aldi would be cheaper than Sainsbury's, but do I care? No, not really!
I have visited Aldi, and their vegetables were both very cheap and very good, but certain other things were a little dodgy! A simple tin of Sardines in Olive oil was horrible, and some cheap red wine was undrinkable. Even cheap wine should be drinkable!!!
At least at Sainsbury's I know that the quality will always be good, and if that costs me a few £'s more each week, then so be it. I do buy at Waitrose too, but only a few 'luxuries' (Pork pies).
Price comparisons are all very well, but if it's not exactly the same product, it means nothing. For example, you can't compare Heinz Ketchup with Aldi's own brand.
I don't look at prices when I shop. I know what I want, and I buy regardless. Nor do I grab things from the shelves that aren't on my list. I'm a very strict shopper in that respect.
No, I shan't be swapping Sainsbury's for Aldi, but this doesn't mean that if I come across an Aldi that I won't buy some of their vegs.
I also shop at Sainsbury's. I pay more because its a small local store. Its only at the end of my street so I don't have to carry the shopping far. Tried others but you always get quality at Sainsbury's.
ReplyDeleteQuite right. I'm just back from my weekly trip to a big Sainsbury's supermarket, and they had everything I wanted at the right price. Buying quality always pays!
DeleteOn the Island we have the choice of two supermarkets: Tesco (Metro pricing) and the Coop (Largest in the UK I think). I'm not sure how the prices compare but the shopping experience in the spacious, huge Coop is so much better that the price becomes almost irrelevant. But then that's fine if you're not on the breadline with every penny counting.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the Co-op, but I do agree that the atmosphere of a store is very important. My present gripe about Sainsbury's is that there are loads of employees filling boxes with on line orders. They are everywhere, and one has to dodge them. They should fill those orders at night!
DeleteI have the choice of four supermarkets within a five minute drive from home. One is typically Spanish - Mercadona, another is Consum, which I'm not sure but think it may be Swedish (having shopped at a couple in Sweden) and then there's Lidl and Aldi, plus another one which only opens during the holiday season. My weekly shop-up is done mainly at Mercadona (where I spent 106€ this morning!) with odd items usually from Aldi (Paca, the dog, likes their treats) where I spent a further 21€ on our way home after the morning walk along the promenade! The grand total is much more than I usually spend but I was stocking up on various things. The prices at Aldi and Lidl are competitive but I've found Consum somewhat expensive and rarely shop there. Mercadona is almost all nationally sourced produce, mostly excellent quality and the veg and fruit are usually seasonal. It's a long time since I've shopped in a UK supermarket so have no way to offer a comparison. My local one was Waitrose, with the occasional foray to M&S.
ReplyDeleteI shop at Sainsbury's, M & S, and Waitrose whilst in the UK, and Leclerc exclusively in France (other than at markets). We're very lucky to have high quality foods wherever we are.
DeleteWe buy what we want. Aldi has the best prices, but I agree not everything from there is the same quality.
ReplyDeleteI did like their vegs, especially the prices. But I was a little disappointed with certain things. One needs to be selective.
DeleteI liked shopping in Sainsbury's when I lived in England. Even their own products taste good. These days we mainly shop in Lidl and Aldi because they are the cheapest supermarkets here in Ireland.
ReplyDeleteSainsbury' suits me fine. My supermarket has recently moved things around, so I'm having to search for certain things. I'll get used to it; then they'll probably do the same again.
DeleteLike you, I buy what I want and generally buy quality. As you state, various stores have the quality sought.
ReplyDeleteAldi is Trader Joe's in the US, and I agree with your assessment of them. It seems, no one grocery store carries an entire stock of quality goods.
Sainsbury's, M & S, and Waitrose are all very good quality stores in the UK, but, of course, one pays for it.
DeleteDoes petrol price come into your equations? Yesterday I filled up locally at £130.7 which, according to my records, was what was charged in July/Aug 2021.
ReplyDeleteDecimal point in the wrong place.....
ReplyDelete