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What's wrong with being a Sainbury's Shopper?

(90 Posts)
kittylester Sat 29-Mar-25 20:00:11

A few times lately I have heard people say 'oh they shop in Sainsbury's' used in a dismissive way as though the person has more money than sense.

Is that how other grans see it?

Tenko Tue 01-Apr-25 11:04:14

Asda is my nearest supermarket but during Covid , I wasn’t happy with their social distancing policy , so I moved to Sainsbury’s which has wider aisles and self scanning long before Asda did .
We’ve now got a Lidl, so I shop at Sainsbury’s and Lidl . Unfortunately our Lidl is 5 minutes walk from town and has free parking for an hour , so the car park is full and the shop nearby empty !!!

Allira Tue 01-Apr-25 10:49:29

Gateway, Summerfield

Gateway turned into Somerfield, I think.
DD worked there in a Saturday job when she was at school. What class does that make us, I wonder 😁

The Co-op Kwiksave, Safeway, I've shopped in them all. I'm egalitarian.

flappergirl Tue 01-Apr-25 10:17:30

M0nica

Why is GN so obsessed by class.

It had never ever occurred to me that supermarkets had any particular class.

Waitrose deliberately places itself as a premium supermarket, Aldi and Lidl trade on a low price, pile it high and sell it cheap basis and then there are the rest.

As I have said I shop in Waitrose because it is a town centre supermarket and not too big. In the past in different circumstances I have shopped in Sainsburies, Asda, Tesco, International Stores, Gateway, Summerfield. what 'class' these shops are has never occurred to me.

I don't think GN is obsessed with class at all. People are simply making observations and it is fair to say that Waitrose has always been considered a relatively "upmarket/middle class" (or however you want to phrase it) supermarket. I think you're being rather disingenuous if you say you're oblivious to that.

Mamardoit Tue 01-Apr-25 08:57:24

I have heard that said about Sainsburys. It's not somewhere I would shop regularly but I have made a special journey to the big Sainsbury store to buy kitchen ware and an extra shop at Christmas. It's not a cost thing with me it's just we have all the big supermarkets close by so we use them all at times.

Aldi and Asda were always our go to supermarkets when the family were all at home. That was because of prices. Some people had negative views about shopping there at the time. DH used to pop into an Aldi near work sometimes. His work colleagues even commented their wives wouldn't want to be seen in an Aldi. How times have changed.

Sarahr Tue 01-Apr-25 07:15:50

We shop in Sainsbury's for. It is as good on price as the cheaper supermarkets but less busy which makes for an easier shopping experienc. We also use Aldi, Lidl and Tesco as they sell products we can't buy in Sainsbury's. There is a very diverse customer base at our Sainsbury's, from the twinset and pearls brigade to the students on a tight budget.

sazz1 Tue 01-Apr-25 00:27:42

We have a great choice here as we have Co-op, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Lidl all within 2 miles of where we live.
We do most of our shopping in Lidl as a carrot is still a carrot wherever you buy it. Before lidl opened we used to shop at Sainsburys but have saved a lot of money by shopping in Lidl. I still buy some brand names like Nescafe coffee, decaff Tetley teabags etc so pick these up in one of the other supermarkets. Sainsburys does do the best egg mayonnaise sandwiches and quiche though.

Nannan2 Tue 01-Apr-25 00:14:14

Or Selfridges🤔

Nannan2 Tue 01-Apr-25 00:05:40

I dont think most of the other shops DO pricematch to Aldi- they just SAY they do.(i think that was proven by some retail board or other recently?)🤔As for distance, well thats what online shopping is for, if you are further from certain ones then its easy to order a delivery, if i ever wanted something thats particularly from sainsburys, (rarely lately) as we have no branches nearby at all, i would order online..Oh and a real snobby one is Booth's but i think its more of a Lancashire thing,very pricey, very 'high end', a lot of obscure items.(see i put a lot of 'research' into this😆)Of course if you're a real 'toff' theres always Harrods...😁

Nannan2 Mon 31-Mar-25 23:49:54

Ive heard it said about waitrose,ocado, and M&S, as theyre the real pricier ones these days.I do occasionally splash out and get from those, but more if someone has got me an M&S gift card for birthday/christmas etc (usually one of my sons, so i can treat myself) or maybe the other 2 at christmas or easter.But, well, Doodledog, if you can afford a lodge, then the higher end supermarkets will be a 'much of a muchness' & sainsburys will be slumming it😆😂

4allweknow Mon 31-Mar-25 20:37:42

I have heard the "oh you shop at Sainsbury's" comments that seem to have started recently. I used to shop at Sainsburys 15 years ago, choice being Snbry or Asda. Moved home and now choice is Morrisons or Asda. Lidl and Aldi also nearby. I think the Sainsbury's inference is due to being a bit more expensive than the other big stores. Waitrose has always been regarded as the "snobs" supermarket which I think is unfair. Anytime I have been in a store the fresh food always looks really good and there is a large range of dry goods but a bit pricey for me, at least on a regular basis. I'd ignore the Sainsbury's comments.

Emilymaria Mon 31-Mar-25 19:29:52

‘Sainsbury's to cut 3,000 jobs and shut cafés’ in a response to rise in National Insurance. Last year’s net profit (after tax and distributing dividends, that is) £137m. Seems a good reason to question them. But, then, how many supermarkets are squeaky clean? Seems a good reason to shop locally, as and when possible.

jocork Mon 31-Mar-25 18:39:09

Doodledog

I suspect that most people shop where is convenient. Parking, proximity etc matter more than loyalty to a store. Yes, there are some price differentials, but nowhere near as much as the stores would like us to believe. Sainsbury's price matches with Aldi and Asda anyway, so it's not a consideration.

I choose Sainsbury's for most shops as I use the nectar prices on the app. However I also compare prices in Tesco and Asda and buy the best deals. Asda is my go to for fuel so I shop there when the car needs filling up but I rarely buy very much. Their prices are lower but some of their products are less good. I shop at Iceland for a few things but always on Tuesday when they give 10% discount to over 60s! I occasionally go to Waitrose but the nearest is in the next town so only if I go there for another reason. Recently the things I used to buy from there have been discontinued so I won't be there often in future. Lidl and Aldi are both further away and have rubbish car parking and limited range of foods so only go there if passing buy and fancy looking for the odd bargain. Convenience is high priority for me but I know the prices in the different places and which is best in each one. Fortunately I have the time to do the comparissons now I'm retired.

StoneofDestiny Mon 31-Mar-25 17:46:14

I shop at Waitrose as it’s my nearest shop but who cares other than me?

StoneofDestiny Mon 31-Mar-25 17:44:45

Only ever heard the phrase attributed to Waitrose- never to Sainsbury’s or Tesco. Can’t see why were a person shops forms part of anybody else’s conversation.

Lizzie44 Mon 31-Mar-25 17:39:29

I mainly shop in Waitrose and Sainsbury - both within a 10 minute walk away. Also shop at Aldi and M&S food when visiting larger town about a 25 minute drive away. Together these shops provide a good range of products, prices and offers.

wibblywobblywobblebottom Mon 31-Mar-25 17:34:44

Nothing.

GrammaH Mon 31-Mar-25 17:29:49

I don't use Sainsburys very often as I have a regular Tesco order, but I do sometimes pop in as its our nearest big supermarket. I only go in for more specialised items - if i run out, I'll use Lidl for basic grocery items, wine & their own brand tonic water which is as good as Fever Tree & half the price. We live in a county with just one Waitrose which is quite a way from me so I'm not tempted in there. I didn't realise Sainsburys is considered to be below the pale!!

Stillness Mon 31-Mar-25 16:43:05

I currently shop in Waitrose…for a whole host of reasons…I am probably not the stereotypical Waitrose shopper but what difference does it make! My neighbour always makes a point of mentioning it socially, as if it’s a crime! In my life, I’ve shopped at all the large supermarkets at different times …and each to their own. I don’t jump to any conclusions.

Nibbles44 Mon 31-Mar-25 16:42:34

I shop instore Sainsbury's with Nectar once a fortnight, 2.5 miles away (12mins) on hourly bus as I have OAP bus pass, buying mostly own brand bonus point items & reduced, I also use the Co-Op convenience store round the corner at 6pm for reduced only, & Farmfoods which is across the road but only for certain items. Morissons is 1km away & I top up there once a month & certain things at Lidl too which my friend uses cos he lives across the road from it. We used to shop M&S, Asda & Aldi but given them up as inconvenient & not much we wanted, ditto Tesco requires a 45min hourly bus ride each way.

debbiet1 Mon 31-Mar-25 16:23:09

I've never heard that said about Sainsbury's (in the way you describe).

I've shopped at Waitrose for nearly 40 years (although also have deliveries from Ocado now). I've often heard people make a little fun of those who shop at Waitrose! Anyway, luckily I can afford to pay its (slightly) higher prices, I prefer it to other supermarkets, and, very importantly, it's the nearest!

I say everyone should shop at the supermarket that suits them and not worry about what other people say.

Casdon Mon 31-Mar-25 16:12:54

Cambia

Used to shop there but boycotted it now as they have put so many self scans in and left only one checkout! Moved to Ocado delivery, not sure where this comes in the social scale!!!

Isn’t the same true of every supermarket though, they are all moving to self serve tills? I don't mind them, as long as I don’t have a big shop, because it’s too hard to balance it all on the bagging bay.

Cambia Mon 31-Mar-25 16:09:26

Used to shop there but boycotted it now as they have put so many self scans in and left only one checkout! Moved to Ocado delivery, not sure where this comes in the social scale!!!

Stansgran Mon 31-Mar-25 16:06:48

I’ve found Sainsburys middle of the road but our local one has revamped itself with glass doors which reflect the lights badly. It’s also stocks halal meat now which I object to strongly. It has M&S nearby so I prefer that. I have a Waitrose delivery or Ocado once a month to top up.

Norah Mon 31-Mar-25 16:05:26

Nothing is wrong with shopping at Sainsbury's.

Wyllow3 Mon 31-Mar-25 16:03:04

Tho I am cross at the reduction in tills but determined not to be forced into self serve I like a real person.