ALDI & LIDL Food and Drink Worth Trying?
Discussion
Trustmeimadoctor said:
thing i find with both aldi and lidl is the fact i cant get half the things we need from there so need to go to tesco anyway
What kind of things? I can find most 'European' items at Lidl, but I cook a lot of Thai and Indian which Lidl is no good for - my local one doesn't even sell fresh ginger.
However I get round this with a big run to Wing Yip every few months for spices, pulses, sauces and various things from the freezer section - eg. squid, raw king prawns, lemon grass, lime leaves and galangal.
petemurphy said:
how come aldi is so cheap esp as a lot of stuff is imported?? surely tesco etc have the supply chain nailed down? how can they be cheaper? ( genuine question )
Globally they are about the same size, give or take a billion, so both have huge buying power.Supply chains will be pretty similar as products come from similar locations, fruit ex Spain, Veg ex Holland etc.
Aldi save on store layout and decor, few frills and all staff including Management have to do shelf stacking etc. Count the number of staff in your local Aldi against a Tesco.
Same at their warehouses, delivery drivers have to unload their own vehicles, not lie on their bunk or sit in a waiting room whilst somebody else does it.
Control the costs and maximise the profit.
Location I think has to be a factor.
Tesco have probably paid over the odds for retail sites in prime locations since they appear to follow the strategy that wherever you are in the world, you'll be within a few steps of a Tesco.
Lidl/Aldi, on the other hand, have sites in less salubrious areas (but crucially with parking), and appear to follow the strategy of 'build it and they will come'.
Tesco have probably paid over the odds for retail sites in prime locations since they appear to follow the strategy that wherever you are in the world, you'll be within a few steps of a Tesco.
Lidl/Aldi, on the other hand, have sites in less salubrious areas (but crucially with parking), and appear to follow the strategy of 'build it and they will come'.
Nyphur said:
Mobile Chicane said:
I can find most 'European' items at Lidl, but I cook a lot of Thai and Indian which Lidl is no good for - my local one doesn't even sell fresh ginger.
How terrible 
But I know what you mean - my part of Surrey is full of spoilt wimmins who've never worked a day in their lives and have nothing to complain about other than the fact that their extra-virgin olive oil wasn't harvested and processed by virgins.
Over ley lines.
mercfunder said:
Toaster Pilot said:
mercfunder said:
WTF...so do you consider Waitrose own label to be "counterfeit" as well?
Lots of the packaging is much more blatant though, "norpak " butter etc Mobile Chicane said:
I can find most 'European' items at Lidl, but I cook a lot of Thai and Indian which Lidl is no good for - my local one doesn't even sell fresh ginger.
Mine did, along with fresh Chillis and a few other things I can't recall. They stopped about 12 months ago. But they do this from time to time. They'll stock products for a few years, then they seem to drop off for a while, then reappear a year later. Do keep your eye out. It'll be back there at some point I'm sure. Or at least hope! Was loads cheaper than anywhere else, like the Garlic, and every other herb and fruit and vegetable.
I also buy the glass Mixed Spiced Pepper Mills from Lidl at 99p. It's very tasty.
Another Aldi/Lidl fan here. The vast bulk of the shop comes from Aldi/Lidl and the rest comes from the pound shop and local butcher with special treats (e.g. fine wines) coming from Waitrose. With the odd exception, I have not bought anything from Tesco for about 4 years. My GF still goes to Sainsbury's though.
Things I like about Aldi/Lidl that haven't already been mentioned numerous times by others:
The staff are generally more helpful. They work harder and seem to care more. I think that because there are so few of them, and because they get more autonomy, they feel more of a sense of pride in the store. The Sainsbury's staff couldn't care less.
No self checkouts. I hate being "encouraged" by Sainsbury's staff to use the self checkout. I'm already spending a load of money in your store, and now you want me to even do the scanning myself so that you can fire even more staff? Get lost.
No loyalty cards, useless coupons or other rubbish.
Occasional non-food bargains like deck chairs, tools, flat pack stuff etc. Got some good stuff this way.
Things I don't like:
The ones near me don't take credit cards. I guess they don't want to have to pay the merchant charges. Not the end of the world but it would be nice if they did.
A fair number of the clientele seem to get to the till and find that their card is declined, or they haven't got any cash on them, or the bill comes to £41 and they only have £30 so they start putting things back...one by one...slowly...and their English isn't that good...
At my local one you see some shockingly bad manners, People pushing in front, having arguments etc. As an earlier poster said, just take your time and don't make eye contact.
Things I like about Aldi/Lidl that haven't already been mentioned numerous times by others:
The staff are generally more helpful. They work harder and seem to care more. I think that because there are so few of them, and because they get more autonomy, they feel more of a sense of pride in the store. The Sainsbury's staff couldn't care less.
No self checkouts. I hate being "encouraged" by Sainsbury's staff to use the self checkout. I'm already spending a load of money in your store, and now you want me to even do the scanning myself so that you can fire even more staff? Get lost.
No loyalty cards, useless coupons or other rubbish.
Occasional non-food bargains like deck chairs, tools, flat pack stuff etc. Got some good stuff this way.
Things I don't like:
The ones near me don't take credit cards. I guess they don't want to have to pay the merchant charges. Not the end of the world but it would be nice if they did.
A fair number of the clientele seem to get to the till and find that their card is declined, or they haven't got any cash on them, or the bill comes to £41 and they only have £30 so they start putting things back...one by one...slowly...and their English isn't that good...
At my local one you see some shockingly bad manners, People pushing in front, having arguments etc. As an earlier poster said, just take your time and don't make eye contact.
My shopping list at Lidl:
Cranberry juice - awesome stuff as posted above, much tastier than Ocean Spray and almost half the price!
Norwegian smoked salmon - bloomin' lovely
Butcher choice sausages
Chorizo - best I've had
Passata
California Pistachios
Cashews
Crusti Croc crisps
Cimarosa Cab Sauv. wine
Validero (sp?) chiliean wine when it's in
Minced beef
Bacon
Garlic and herb soft cheese
Pancakes
French Croissants - please try these and report back! Wow.
I only tend to use Morrisons for fresh bread, Illy coffee, exotic veg and some local ales that Lidl doesn't do. Although I was very happy to see my local Lidl has started selling cut fresh herbs.
Cranberry juice - awesome stuff as posted above, much tastier than Ocean Spray and almost half the price!
Norwegian smoked salmon - bloomin' lovely
Butcher choice sausages
Chorizo - best I've had
Passata
California Pistachios
Cashews
Crusti Croc crisps
Cimarosa Cab Sauv. wine
Validero (sp?) chiliean wine when it's in
Minced beef
Bacon
Garlic and herb soft cheese
Pancakes
French Croissants - please try these and report back! Wow.
I only tend to use Morrisons for fresh bread, Illy coffee, exotic veg and some local ales that Lidl doesn't do. Although I was very happy to see my local Lidl has started selling cut fresh herbs.
AmitG said:
Like...
No loyalty cards, useless coupons or other rubbish.
Don't like...
At my local one you see some shockingly bad manners, People pushing in front, having arguments etc. As an earlier poster said, just take your time and don't make eye contact.
Lidl very often have £5 off coupon when you spend over £30. Printed in national newspapers like The Sun and in the past the Mail (I think). I pop in to Lidl a few times a week and know chat to many of the staff. They find it amusing when the Mail readers shop - it's only due to the voucher and not good enough at other times attitude that's noted by the staff. No loyalty cards, useless coupons or other rubbish.
Don't like...
At my local one you see some shockingly bad manners, People pushing in front, having arguments etc. As an earlier poster said, just take your time and don't make eye contact.
I did have a tiff with one of the deputy Managers a few weeks ago regarding payment. You have to watch Lidl sometimes, they mis type codes of the specials, use different codes for items not on the system or don't change signage regarding pricing quite often. Also, when they reduce goods that are reaching their sell by date (this is often a week in advance so great bargains to be had) everything has 30% off across the board to make it simpler. However, if there's an offer on, in my case it was the mince at 2 for £5.00, if the product has 30% off sticker and you buy two Lidl's system can't cope and adds money on to give you the '2 for' deal.
In my case it added on £1.24. I complained and was told 'no, we've taken off 30%, it's on your receipt and we've given you the 2 for £5 offer'... Yes, which adds on £1.24! He just wouldn't have it so I got very cross, made him refund my £5.00 and bought two packs of reduced mince seperately leaving with £1.24. I was very cross. And he very red faced.
So I apologise. It won't happen again.
But beware, and always check your receipt!
The bacon at Aldi is superb, as well as many other things.
One thing Lidl are selling at the moment, which are superb, is baskets of large garlic cloves. These are small bulbs of garlic that contain just one big clove so you have to peel and chop just one.
I would reckon they are the size of four cloves of garlic.
Beware of buying stuff at Lidl that you may not need, this really applies to the non food items. Although they say they will refund you with few quibbles the process is unduly long and stupid.
One thing Lidl are selling at the moment, which are superb, is baskets of large garlic cloves. These are small bulbs of garlic that contain just one big clove so you have to peel and chop just one.
I would reckon they are the size of four cloves of garlic.
Beware of buying stuff at Lidl that you may not need, this really applies to the non food items. Although they say they will refund you with few quibbles the process is unduly long and stupid.
AmitG said:
Another Aldi/Lidl fan here. The vast bulk of the shop comes from Aldi/Lidl and the rest comes from the pound shop and local butcher with special treats (e.g. fine wines) coming from Waitrose. With the odd exception, I have not bought anything from Tesco for about 4 years. My GF still goes to Sainsbury's though.
Things I like about Aldi/Lidl that haven't already been mentioned numerous times by others:
The staff are generally more helpful. They work harder and seem to care more. I think that because there are so few of them, and because they get more autonomy, they feel more of a sense of pride in the store. The Sainsbury's staff couldn't care less.
No self checkouts. I hate being "encouraged" by Sainsbury's staff to use the self checkout. I'm already spending a load of money in your store, and now you want me to even do the scanning myself so that you can fire even more staff? Get lost.
No loyalty cards, useless coupons or other rubbish.
Occasional non-food bargains like deck chairs, tools, flat pack stuff etc. Got some good stuff this way.
Things I don't like:
The ones near me don't take credit cards. I guess they don't want to have to pay the merchant charges. Not the end of the world but it would be nice if they did.
A fair number of the clientele seem to get to the till and find that their card is declined, or they haven't got any cash on them, or the bill comes to £41 and they only have £30 so they start putting things back...one by one...slowly...and their English isn't that good...
At my local one you see some shockingly bad manners, People pushing in front, having arguments etc. As an earlier poster said, just take your time and don't make eye contact.
Hi, I just checked your profile and see that you live in London and I know exactly what you mean. The Lidl local to where I used to live in London had exactly the traits you describe above such as someone getting to the front of the queue and not having enough money even if the bill only came to say ten pounds thirty three, then they would put back some items. I mean do these people go around with their eyes closed. One thing for sure it was never dull shopping there as was always something that would happen while it the store with regards to someone being drunk or threatening a member of staff. I used to really like the pizzas from there though and they where only about one pound fifty.Things I like about Aldi/Lidl that haven't already been mentioned numerous times by others:
The staff are generally more helpful. They work harder and seem to care more. I think that because there are so few of them, and because they get more autonomy, they feel more of a sense of pride in the store. The Sainsbury's staff couldn't care less.
No self checkouts. I hate being "encouraged" by Sainsbury's staff to use the self checkout. I'm already spending a load of money in your store, and now you want me to even do the scanning myself so that you can fire even more staff? Get lost.
No loyalty cards, useless coupons or other rubbish.
Occasional non-food bargains like deck chairs, tools, flat pack stuff etc. Got some good stuff this way.
Things I don't like:
The ones near me don't take credit cards. I guess they don't want to have to pay the merchant charges. Not the end of the world but it would be nice if they did.
A fair number of the clientele seem to get to the till and find that their card is declined, or they haven't got any cash on them, or the bill comes to £41 and they only have £30 so they start putting things back...one by one...slowly...and their English isn't that good...
At my local one you see some shockingly bad manners, People pushing in front, having arguments etc. As an earlier poster said, just take your time and don't make eye contact.
Just spent a fruitful 30 mins sweeping around Lidl. Chap was marking all fruit and veg down by 50% so hung around and dived in. Loads of cured meats, cheeses and fresh juices, aswell as Persil copy washing powder and dishwasher tablets, all for the princely sum of £80.00. Checked an old Sainsburys bill and most of the items were 40% more
I'm converted as I detest the orange types in Sainsburys...plus they sold tellies!
I'm converted as I detest the orange types in Sainsburys...plus they sold tellies!
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