supermarket survey

[designermike]

After reading a few books recently on Asda/Wal-Mart and Tesco's stranglehold on the UK's food markets, I thought I'd see if I could find out just how much more it might cost me to shop somewhere else. I have chosen some of the items I frequently purchase and the results are presented in the table on this page., if you are interested in that type of thing.

http://www.mfhughes.com/writing/supermarket_survey.htm

Regards

Michael.

 

[db]

Netto really has terrible stores that make Aldi/Lidl look like Harrods ... There seems no reason whatsoever to shop in Netto ever

indeed..

i love asda.. their £6 indian meal-for-two deals are serious business

 

[Wookie]

After reading a few books recently on Asda/Wal-Mart and Tesco's stranglehold on the UK's food markets

Any good books?

 

[Doctor]

It dosn't mention Co-op! All though it might be a little more expensive than the top supermarkets it does at least have an ethical core to the business, is usually local therefore reduces your milage (still the biggest contributor to CO2 in retail), has a far bigger range of Fairtrade items and you can become a member and be part of the whole co-operative movement for £1.

Also for things like fruit & veg, cheese, meats etc then get down to Stafford Market. Good prices for good quality food and not all wrapped up in off-gassing plastics. Most of it is reasonably local or from smaller producers and a far greater proportion of the money you spend will stay in Stafford supporting our local economy rather than lineing the pockets of big investment city firms. We are a market town and we need to support our market by shopping there before we lose it.

Best of all you stand at the counter and just say what you want and they bring it to you rather than having to search for the new hiding place they've found in the supermarket for the thing you want just to make you walk around and see all the other stuff they have but you don't want.

 

[designermike]

Hi,

Yeah I did have a quick look in Co-Op but fortunatly for me all the supermarkets are local. I
can (and do) walk into town in only about 15 mins. Driving in Stafford is pointless, especially
on a Saturday morning. I think they're (Co-Op) more expensive but if you have to drive to the others
then I'm sure it works out similar.

The main books was Tescopoly by Andrew Simms. Another one was "Bad Food Britain", which
was on about why we choose to eat so poorly compared to most of the rest of the world. A lot
of the blame (not all of it mind) was laid at the feet of the supermarkets. Both these books are
easily found on Amazon. There is also a documentary "Wal-Mart: the high cost of low price" which
is well worth a watch. Explains how asda and therefore tesco are able to offer all those home goods
at near-giveaway prices. Someone suffers in the end.

Amongst other things the Tesco book mentions how Tescos lodge appeals against refused planning
permission, knowing that if they keep appealing then generally thecouncil's tax funded legal department
will run out of budget long before Tesco do.

<gets of street corner soapbox, lol>

Michael.

 

[theflamingred]

Netto really has terrible stores that make Aldi/Lidl look like Harrods ... There seems no reason whatsoever to shop in Netto ever

indeed..

i love asda.. their £6 indian meal-for-two deals are serious business

Oh yes - that's what we're having for tea tonight

 

[Mrs M]

I agree with doctor, we should be supporting our market. You can get some good deals on fruit and veg and meat. I think the biggest problem for some people shopping in the market is that they don't know how to shop in the market. They see what they want already pre-packed in supermarkets or they just help themselves to what they want but don't have a clue about it's weight. I must agree with bobby though about the Asda meal deals and some of their £6 meal deals are £4 at the moment. Their pizzas are good value too. I think Dominoes want knocking down a peg or too for the prices that they charge.

 

[tek-monkey]

I use Tesco, cos its in my back garden. I'm just lazy, and only cook once a month or so anyway.