Are you a supermarket snob? (I used to be)

July 3, 2008 · Filed Under Life in general, branding 

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Supermarket snobbery. A highly debated topic in the tough financial environment we are currently living in. There are of course many supermarkets all to willing to take our money off us, like:

  • Tesco (capitalist pigs)
  • Asda (can be pretty frightening at times in Hull) ;)
  • Waitrose (very civilised shopping)
  • Netto (who?)
  • Lidl (no frills)
  • Aldi (really on the up and up)
  • Sainsburys (hello Jamie!)
  • Morrisons (Northen outposts)
  • And a few others

So, who’s going to be honest here…. where and why do you shop now, and has that changed over the course of 2008? I used to be a real supermarket snob. I am proud to say it was Waitrose every time. The brand name conveyed taste, a quiet and attentive experience and great quality. It also meant some big £££ being spent. It was almost like the Ikea experience when you get to the till with what you think is not a lot, and you hear the words:

that will be £112.31 please.

Not quite what you had in mind. Nowadays thought I’ve changed my mindset and tend to shop in many different supermarkets, including the excellent Aldi - they have their luxury range which is very good (awesome fruit yoghurts) and the prices are very, very good. Yes, I do nip to Waitrose every now and again, but only for things that we cannot get elsewhere. The main weekly shop is usually at Morrisons and they have some great product lines and again, low prices.

It is not surprising therefore to see the BBC news article about this very subject. It looks like people just cannot afford M&S food all the time now (their share price has just got a serious battering), and consumers who have never braved Aldi / Netto / Lidl, are now being lured in. Aldi have actually started a pretty good TV advertising campaign with a very clear message about not having to pay too much for quality.

Right then, spill the beans (Heinz only though still) on your supermarket shopping brand loyalty and experiences in the comments!


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Comments

7 Responses to “Are you a supermarket snob? (I used to be)”

  1. Stephen Leighton on July 3rd, 2008 5:33 pm

    Would love to always shop at Waitrose but its so expensive and its quite far for us but when I can I can. But I guess I have different places for different things.

    Meat Local butchers or at a push sainsburys deli

    Fruit and veg Lidl or Aldi

    Midnight feast (24 hour opening) and tins Tesco

    I did fall into Iceland recently (now that have got rid of that Kerry women on their ad’s)and was really surprised and what you got for your buck.

    Something a bit special or very quick Marks and Spencer. Am I a tart shopping around for different things?

  2. admin on July 3rd, 2008 5:58 pm

    I think that is what more and more people are doing Steve - different shops for different things. Waitrose and M&S make great food, very nicely packaged but with the accompanying £££.

    Your behaviour (and mine) is not tarty, just sensible!

  3. Sam on July 3rd, 2008 6:15 pm

    I buy some things from M&S such as their fruit trifles, Roast Chicken Pies, cooked meats, cheese and some microwave meals…but definitely not a full shop there otherwise it would run too expensive. I’d say we go to the M&S Foodhall a couple of times a week - but *a lot* more at Christmas ;)

    We tend to do our weekly shop at Sainsburys. It’s closer to us than the other supermarkets and they have some good two for one deals on. Sometimes we’ll pop into Morrisons as it’s right next door to our studio and they have some great Buy One Get One Free offers, but it’s mostly a Sainsburys affair.

    I haven’t shopped at Lidl or Aldi, but I have heard people saying that it’s good quality.

  4. admin on July 3rd, 2008 6:54 pm

    Very interesting Sam, although I am sure you get M&S pizza too (I’ve seen your tweets!) ;-)

    I think you would be pleasantly surprised with Aldi - worth getting the basics there and they seem to be spending more money on their stores at the moment.

  5. Sam on July 4th, 2008 9:46 pm

    Hee hee @ my pizza tweets. I get my pizzas from Sainsburys - delicious and less £’s than M&S for sure.

    I might give Aldi a go for the basics, Jon, on your recommendation. I hear that the fresh fruit and veg is particularly good.

  6. admin on July 6th, 2008 7:32 pm

    I think you will be pleasantly surprised - just don’t expect the gloss of the other supermarkets and the onslaught of big brands and marketing!

  7. 112 » Blog Archive » Are you a supermarket snob? (I used to be) on July 14th, 2008 3:01 pm

    [...] Are you a supermarket snob? (I used to be) …that will be £112.31 please. Not quite what you had in mind. Nowadays thought I’ve changed my mindset and tend to shop in many different… [...]

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