Waitrose vs Aldi

[raf_gti]

First of all, this is not the usual 'class' based topic about Waitrose

For the past year or so I've been responsible for our monthly shop, having a Waitrose nearby and enjoying good food it makes sense to shop there, even if most of the stuff could be bought in Tesco/Morrisons etc. It's the specialities that make little bit of extra difference.

Recently I've noticed the overall bill creeping up with less & less to show for it so this month I though I'd give Aldi a try having heard many positive things about it.


And my conclusion? Not massively impressed, I've spent roughly the same as in Waitrose and I don't feel as if I've really gained anything except learning that having the cashier pack your bags for you is a god send! There is an interesting selection of ham and good value wine but is about it, I could live with the drop in quality if the bill reflected it but it didn't.

So, should I be surprised that Aldi isn't quite up to the quality of Waitrose? no. I'm I disappointed but how little difference there is in the overall bill? yes.

[soad]

That can't be right! Aldi has Waitrose prices?

[Wadeski]

depends what you buy, i guess.

[raf_gti]

soad said:

That can't be right! Aldi has Waitrose prices?

Obviously not for everything but for everyday things and going by my shop I just didn't see that much of a difference.

[Sonic]

Just goes to show that Waitrose isn't quite as extortionate as people would have you believe.

[Simpo Two]

Shopping in Waitrose is admitting you can't afford a housekeeper...

[Nigel H]

We shop at Waitrose most weeks and from what I can see on directly comparable items they are there are or there abouts with the other supermarkets on most things. On many things their choice and quality are superior to other supermarkets which is the real reason why we go there.

However there are some big savings to be had by shopping for household products and toileteries at places like Poundland and Wilko. So I usually pop in there once a month for a "big" shop. Have tried Aldi a couple of times, but to no real end. The beer seems goo value

Edited by Nigel H on Thursday 21st July 12:57

Edited by Nigel H on Thursday 21st July 12:58

[johnnyreggae]

I get surprised how expensive Co-op stores are

[Doobs]

The solution for the OP is to move to Buxton. My folks have perfected their shopping by driving into Buxton, picking up all the cheap stuff they want at Aldi (the Brandy is supposed to be lovely), and finishing it off with some nice picks from Waitrose over the road. If I lived a bit closer to Buxton I would do the same.

See here (spin round a bit if required):

map link

[Welshbeef]

Have to say I very much enjoy the whole shopping experiance in our Local Waitrose.

It has the best Ale setion in any supermarket I have been to within a reasonable commuting to store option.
The meat is very good
Also its not really that much more

I do tend to find that a full bag in Waitrose is c£20 a rather useful measure that Ive started using. Try it clearly everyone is different but get your base line properly pack the bags then divide bill by number of bags.
I call it the Welshbeef scale.
Tesco isnt a lot cheaper to be frank and Ive found when we go to Tesco the fruit is usually overly ripe or little availability also you tend to get lots of people hanging around the reduced to clear sections which are annoyingly placed next to the King Prawns, salmon and fillet steak .



Aldi - they do have a rather good bailys ownlabel, which is ideal for xmas. Ditto very good mulled wine. The rest... Meh. Also cash only (or switch). Another thing I noticed the shoppers in Aldi we saw (likewise when we went to Lidl) we have never seen similar shopping in M&S for food or Waitrose. Not sure why as they are not La di da shops.

[KrazyIvan]

WTF, why do you lot not have a woman to do this for you? This is exaclty what we pay them sex for.......

[CatherineJ]

I don't think Waitrose is that expensive in my experience. I tried Ocado for the first time last weekend, wouldn't use them again, they were hopeless.

[Welshbeef]

CatherineJ said:

I don't think Waitrose is that expensive in my experience. I tried Ocado for the first time last weekend, wouldn't use them again, they were hopeless.

The whole experiance and ethos of the company are very appealing.

[Melman Giraffe]

Given the choice i'd shop at M & S.

[BoRED S2upid]

Aldi and Lidl are only good for cheap fruit and veg and wine.

[raf_gti]

BoRED S2upid said:

Aldi and Lidl are only good for cheap fruit and veg and wine.

And tasty, if slightly suspicious foreign ham

[HOGEPH]

BoRED S2upid said:

Aldi and Lidl are only good for cheap fruit and veg and wine.

Try the Aldi haddock in batter, £3.50 for 2 large pieces. very nice, haven't been to my local chippy in months.

[Caulkhead]

raf_gti said:

BoRED S2upid said:

Aldi and Lidl are only good for cheap fruit and veg and wine.

And tasty, if slightly suspicious foreign ham

If you want really suspicious try the meat salad in Aldi - it's sort of coleslaw with the cabbage replaced by various diced meats of unspecified origin.

I'm convinced my local Waitrose would close down if my mum ever stopped shopping there, she must account for 10% of their annual turnover.

[trickywoo]

johnnyreggae said:

I get surprised how expensive Co-op stores are

I assumed it was just my local one due to lack of competition.

Quality of stuff is very poor and the prices are indeed high. Its often cheaper for me to go to M&S.

[Matt80M]

Caulkhead said:

try the meat salad in Aldi

There are very few things I won't try, but I would have to draw the line at this.