Comparing the supermarkets

I love Lidl and pre covid, when I did my own shopping, I used to go to Lidl one week and another supermarket the next (either Waitrose or Morrisons). Be prepared to find something you want is out of stock and don't be snooty about their own brand despite the strange names. I love their greek yoghurt, chocolate, actually I find the fruit and veg is very good value. They also have venison and calves liver but infrequently so I buy a load and stick in the freezer. I spend a lot less on a Lidl shop so tend to stock up on the basics.

Always enjoyed Aldi, first came across the shop in their home country, my sisters local too, but having enjoyed the German produce, was slightly disappointed on my first shop in UK, no German wine, very little other German produce. Better now though, as my sister pointed out ‘they have to cater for local tastes’ ? silly me.

Our weekly shopping bill was reduced by a third when we switched to Lidl (having been recommended their Greek yoghurt which is escellent). The only thing that lets it down can be the fruit and veg - doesn’t last long, Everything else, especially wine, great and and so cheap.

Green eyed girl regarding staff conditions at Aldi the pay is over the national wage and their shops close over Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Unlike the others.
I wrote to Sainsbury’s chairman before Christmas to request their staff were given Boxing Day off especially after the stress on staff this last 18 months of COVID, but got no reply and Sainsbury’s remained open over the festivities.
So much for valuing their contribution to Sainsbury’s profit.

I really enjoy a trip to Lidl. Fresh fruit and veg is usually good. Meat and fish are better than Tesco and the aisle of weirdness is definitely weird but you never know what you’ll find. Got some excellent tree loppers which would have been much more expensive elsewhere. And their plants are good too. Everything much cheaper than Tesco (I have limited choice of supermarkets).

Have tried it a few times. Found I still needed to go to another supermarket for some things they didn’t stock.
Very disappointed with the fruit and veg and the braising steak .

Always fascinates me how differently people find or judge the products.

I’ve now got visions of you running up curtains for your tent whilst in your tent, Alegrias! ? Maybe with the machine powered by a wind turbine on top of the tent.

You know, I could in fact have had a use for a pneumatic drill. My neighbours are having their driveway dug up (no idea why, as it looks fine, plus they’ve gone away on holiday ). I know the company they’re using is £££. I could have offered to do it as a homer for £50.

they use similar or sometimes the same suppliers as the co-op and waitrose, if that helps

I am an Aldi and Lidl virgin, and have always been suspicious of cheap food. Can anyone convert me? I am fussy about quality, provenance, and staff conditions.

we are getting a really big Lidl soon too and I can't wait the sensory experience of less noise and acoustics suits me much better

The Aisle Of Weirdness is fab! I still regret my Dh stopping me from buying a pneumatic drill. I cannot think what I would use one for but to just be able to say I possess a pneumatic drill would be fab. SueDonim ??

I got my sewing machine from the middle at Lidl. And a tent. Not on the same day ??

I love Lidl produce, the Thai fishcakes are lovely. Also their "themed" weeks - Iberia week in particular.

I like Lidl for wines, meat and the bakery. The fruit and vegetables aren't very good. The choice isn't as good as other supermarkets but overall cheaper.

I hate Tesco. Overpriced, miserable staff and claustrophobic stores.

My family rave on Lidl but we have to go to Warrington that’s the nearest the bakery is good. It reminds me of the first Kwiksave we got in the early seventies not fancy.

Here’s a funny song about the Thursday specials in Aldi and Lidl. I hope you enjoy it.

youtu.be/cL7jyXCQ2Zc

Some years ago I went to Aldi for some fruit and veg and came back with a large tv, much to dh shock.

Lidl is great for some stuff, smoked mackerel, Welsh salted butter, cream and feta cheeses, olives and sun dried tomatoes. You can occasionally get really good stuff in the middle aisles.

I did buy a jumper there a few years ago but I've hardly worn it, as it is like getting into a sausage skin. It was actually sold as a dress by Heidi Klum, and would have been a very short dress for someone young, thin with perfect legs and a flat tummy.

I've never been to a Lidl but I have been in an Aldi and came out with a side table and some milk.

Lidl is brilliant. Fantastic value for money, good quality but smaller number of products than the big UK supermarkets.

During lockdown I had deliveries from Waitrose, Morrisons and Tesco because Lidl didn't deliver but I am now enjoying going back to Lidl.

We only have a couple of supermarkets here but I go now and then to Aldi, about 18 miles away. It’s good for some things but the thing that annoys me most about it is that they’re inconsistent with stock and I end up having to go to another supermarket anyway.

The Aisle Of Weirdness is fab! I still regret my Dh stopping me from buying a pneumatic drill. I cannot think what I would use one for but to just be able to say I possess a pneumatic drill would be fab.

Their baby products are good, organic cotton baby clothes, stair gates, buggies etc. All v good value for money.

Although we have an Aldi as well as Waitrose and Morrison's in our small town, I drive 6 miles to the nearest (very large) Lidl every few weeks. I prefer their muesli to all the others and have always been partial to their ice cream. Sometimes, you will find something you've always wanted in the 'middle aisle', such as the small pressure cooker I spotted when I was shopping with DS last year. Aldi has provided me with a shredder much more reliable than the ones I previously found in another well-known supermarket. Aldi and Lidl are both keeping up well with trends and have increased their stocks of vegan and veggie products - as has M&S!

Love Lidl and Aldi have shopped in them since they arrived
We have Lidl, 2 Aldi, 2 Morrison, Tesco, Asda, Iceland but Lldl and Aldi are my favourites The bakery smells wonderful Their alternatives to any well known brands you can’t get are outstanding value and just as good the fresh fruit and veg is good and I can’t fault them

I'm very partial to Lidl. Was very sceptical and wary at first but now I really enjoy myself there and invariably come out having bought something. I've gradually introduced myself to their non recognised brands and have found many of them to be superior to my regular habit purchases. Certainly always cheaper. Hope you enjoy yours.

You could leave the store with a wetsuit, trumpet, and a felting kit. The middle aisle is fascinating.

Yep good value and excellent product.
I too do both Waitrose and Lidl in fact most people I know do both shops.

Aldi and Lidl are both good. Although we have both on our doorstep as well as Sainsbury Asda etc and our Waitrose closed too....
I use Aldi just by habit but they are similar, Lidl have their own bakeries so a lovely smell as you enter the shop. The middle aisle is a wonder, give it a try.
Certainly a lot cheaper than the rest. Maybe not the choice though, but supermarkets in Germany are never huge like some of ours, so it’s normal for them. I can do a whole shop though but the brands you are used to will not /may not be there but I would say the quality is. Wine is always good too. Fear not, all will be well.