I might try Aldi

I find the checkout assistants at my local Aldi to be cheery and helpful despite being kept so busy
There's always someone on the shop floor to help if needed and they really do seem to be happy to help.
My local Lidl is the total contrast. Rarely more than 2 checkouts manned and always by apparently miserable assistants. There are never any baskets available despite the store not being busy and I have to get one from the checkout once someone has finished with it
No shop floor staff to help find things.
Perhaps understaffed? The fresh bread counter is the only plus for me.
I can only give my opinion based on my local stores and I am sure that it will differ around the country

happygirl79 You have just described our local Adli and Lidl exactly.

Our Lidl is dark, depressing, always huge queues at the usually only 2 at most manned checkouts, and the cashiers are unfriendly, as well. .. and the frozen food section is atrocious, and tbh I find that Lidl is not any more cheap than Morrisons which is nearby.

Aldi OTOH, is large , bright, Clean and with wide Aisles, and although very busy always at least 6 tills open , and the cashiers are always friendly

Aldi certainly doesn't have everything I need for my bi-monthly grocery shopping, but it has enough to make the rest of my shopping at one of the big 3 a lot more affordable..

I would love to try Aldi or Lidl and my town now has both - but the parking for both stores is very limited and I've not managed to get into either because I get too cross at having to keep cruising round waiting for a space.

I sometimes use Lidl about six miles away if I happen to be passing, though generally I go to our local Aldi which is spacious, well stocked and with cheerful, friendly checkout people. The Lidl has been refurbished and extended and is now very large and bright, but no more friendly than our Aldi.

Reading these posts, it seems obvious that the local Lidl or Aldi is just as good or as bad as their manager and his team. Politeness, being helpful, cleaning and tidying the store, selecting which stock to order and rotating it, all come from the top down, just as they do in any other store. The physical building and the lighting, parking and so on may be dictated by head office, but the details of day-to-day organisation are up to the manager. If your local example doesn't come up to your standards, then write or email the manager and head office with your concerns.

For the record, my Lidl is bright, clean, cheerful and packed with bargains, the carpark is large and there is a bus-stop close by. Some of their stock is not to my taste, but most of it is. The fruit and veg are fresh and well displayed, some in packs, some loose.

I understand from something I read on Mumsnet that Aldi and Lidl buy in top class meat at the same level as M&S.

It certainly tastes like it.

I had the chance to get to Aldi today and was reminded why it’s not my number one choice - availability! It’s annoying when there are so often empty gaps in their regular items. Today they had no chia seeds, a particular seasoning blend we like, bran flakes, beetroot, and something else I’ve forgotten. I know stores are a bit down on stock after Christmas but this is a regular occurrence in my local shop.

I bought some nice looking casserole steak, although it was no cheaper than M&S, and have discovered they now do sour cream, so those are pluses.

I am an Aldi shopper, topping up at Sainsbury's and M&S if I can't get everything. Not tried Lidl yet but I think there is one coming to our town soon. The quality of Aldi has improved greatly over the last 10 years. They have British produce and prices are so low, I saw around a third compared to shopping at other major supermarkets. Win, win for me.

Save not saw!

Our local Aldi is dark and miserable and you have to go down stairs to reach it. The produce is the same as any other one I suppose. I remember visiting the Edgebaston one with a friend which was very swish and modern.
My DIL works for the RSPCA and says their meat is top quality.

I live Aldi too and like others I needed to save on my weekly shop when I first tried it. I too use too do my main shop at Aldi then top up my little things at Tesco but now just shop at Aldi for all my shopping, I do like once a month to go to Iceland for my freezer shop but that’s just me like a variety. Hierver I did try Lidl when it opened and did like it but it didn’t have the variety Aldi had and found it a bit more expensive.

I find Aldi fresh vegs and fruit go off quicker but fine of using within a couple of days