A new big Aldi store has just opened in Hove. It replaces a dreadful DIY store; Homebase.
It just happens to be en route to my usual shopping destination; Sainsbury's. So yesterday I popped-in to see what it was like. It had been open for just two days.
It was all a bit confusing with row upon row of chilled cabinets, which makes it difficult to see what's what. No doubt if I became a regular customer I would soon get to know my way around, but for a new-boy it wasn't particularly 'user-friendly'.
I bought a big Cauliflower, 2 bottles of Prosecco, a bottle of Aussie red, and some Bok Choi. The very pretty slightly-Oriental-looking checkout girl was nice, and nobody stabbed me or hurled abuse. I shall return when I've got more time to have a really good look around, but I don't think it'll ever replace my usual destination.
I was pleased to get to Sainsbury's where the layout is so much friendlier. And, frankly, if things cost a tiny bit more than they do at Aldi; I really don't mind. As usual, I filled my trolly.
Maybe I'll go to Aldi again on Tuesday and do a proper assessment. I know it's good for fruit and vegs, but I'm a bit more suspect about cheese, dairy, tinned things, and meat. I prefer quality than 'cheap'.
I now have a choice of four supermarkets on the road to Sainsbury's. Lidl, Aldi, Waitrose, and Sainsbury's itself. No prizes for guessing which two I prefer.
Supermarket locations I find odd at times - we have a local shopping centre that boasts a Tesco Extra, M&S Food, B&M, Home Bargains and Aldi. Just along the road is a distinctly up-market housing development, and all that they have in the way of shops is a rather anaemic Morrisons! We do have a Waitrose and Sainsbury's Local just a few miles away as well though, and in the opposite direction a 24 hour ASDA. Quite where all the customers come from for these I don't know, but the roads and car parks slways seem busy whatever the time of day...
ReplyDeleteAnd an Iceland and Food Warehouse in our local shops as well! After all that, we need our Greggs and Costa for a coffee break.
DeleteIn the middle of town, here, there is an M & S 'Food Hall' which is very popular. But if you visit their clothes departments, there's hardly anyone there. What used to be a clothes shop is now an excellent food store. Good quality always attracts people.
DeleteYou have so much choice there.
ReplyDeleteHere we just have a Tesco, Co-Op and the Saturday Farmers Market.
I wish we had a proper market here in the centre of Brighton. I can't understand why we don't. As a Tesco shareholder, I would encourage you to go there, rather than the Co-op!
DeleteMore fresh food things are British in Aldi than many other shops
ReplyDeleteThe Cauli I bought yesterday was from Lincs, and is beautiful. I love Caulis.
DeleteI have used Aldi for the 2nd main shop of the week since it opened a couple of years ago.Once you get used to the layout ( it seems all the stores have much the same layout...well the only 2 I have been to do!!) you may find it to be an excellent store. Their tinned goods may be cheaper. but taste much the same ( or better) as more expensive Heinz etc. There are also the middle aisles where any number of wonderful things can be found! They have perfectly nice ( for me anyway, not being an expert) white wine for just over £4 . Give it a go.
ReplyDeletePS I am not on commission !
I bought a bottle of Australian red (£4.50 ish) which we drank last night. It was perfectly good. I shall have another more relaxed look around on Tuesday. I didn't see a lot of it on Saturday.
DeleteErr...let me see.... I am going to guess Waitrose and Sainsburys because you are posh with barrowloads of money.
ReplyDeleteThat's it. And I don't even use my title!
DeleteHow wonderful that you have several choices.
ReplyDeleteWe also have 600 restaurants. It's quite a city!
DeleteI use Aldi for my main shop then Tesco for anything else. Aldi's cheese and other dairy products are excellent. I bought a pair of sheepskin slippers yesterday, I have bought them in previous years and they lasted longer than the much more expensive Ugg ones I had before.
ReplyDeleteI shop regularly in Aldi - Earlier this week oddly a large security man stood to attention close to the entrance holding a plastic shopping basket with handle extended partially blocking the aisle - Think they were expecting trouble - flis x
ReplyDeleteI find Aldi handy for a few items that they stock that others don't or that they have an especially good price on (Irish butter for example.)
ReplyDeleteI much prefer supermarkets where I know the layout. There's only 1 here. It has a very good choice of Prosecco. On our travels off island there are 2 we go to, one being Lidls. That's an exciting day out for us.
ReplyDeleteAustralia has some excellent wine and so does South Africa.
I'm stocking up. Whatever I can find that's not greek