The very best suggestions for locating grocery store bargains: readers share their Lidl and Aldi secrets and techniques

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra A s Aldi misplaced its crown because the UK’s least expensive grocery store, many Impartial readers had been fast to reward its closest rival, with Lidl hailed as the brand new price range champion.

A number of commenters highlighted how deep discounting, particularly on recent meals near expiry, allowed savvy buyers to inventory their freezers for a fraction of the value. “That’s the place the actual financial savings are,” one famous.

Others praised Lidl’s easy providing – from “superior” fruit and veg to dependable low costs on staples.

Nonetheless, there have been gripes. Whereas checkout pace was seen as a bonus by many, others discovered the self-checkout machines and customer support missing.

Some buyers, nonetheless, took a extra selective strategy. “I get the most effective from every,” one wrote, explaining how they mixed Lidl, Aldi and Farmfoods in a single journey.

Total, the sentiment was clear: Lidl is doing one thing proper. Right here’s what you needed to say:

Lidl reductions make the distinction

Skint geezer right here... what is not being factored in is that Lidl will knock 20 per cent, then 50 per cent, off their recent meals costs, enabling one to fill up the freezer for a fraction of the costs charged at Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

My native Sainsbury’s additionally reduces objects to 50 per cent but it surely's so hit or miss as to what time they're going to do it, and it is manager-dependent (a few them exceedingly tight).

Tel-X

I am unable to be bothered with big supermarkets

We do all our procuring on the Co-op. They've glorious personal manufacturers and member reductions. The petrol station offers you 10p off a litre when you spend over a certain quantity in-store.

I am unable to be bothered with big supermarkets – there may be extra to life than losing a day selecting between thirty several types of baked beans or toilet paper.

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WorriedWelsh

What are your greatest grocery store hacks? Drop your favorite methods and discoveries within the feedback beneath.

Better of each worlds

My city has each Lidl and Sainsbury’s virtually facet by facet, so comparability is simple – and with each low cost playing cards, I get the most effective of each worlds.

Lidl’s veg appears way more plasticised and packaged. Every weighed stalk of broccoli is vacuum-packed, whereas Sainsbury’s is recent from the crate, and also you decide your measurement.

Most telling, although, is that Lidl at all times seems to be understaffed, and their excessive employees turnover should point out one thing destructive.

Branded merchandise are often on a par with Sainsbury’s and generally costlier. I’m fortunate to have time to choose and blend, however I at all times have the sensation that Sainsbury’s recent meat and personal label usually tend to be British than Lidl’s.

Fallingapart

Selective Co-op shopper

It relies upon an terrible lot on what you purchase. Whereas Co-op may be costly, its member costs and affords are typically fairly aggressive. I do store there for some issues, however I am fairly selective about what I purchase.

Yorkshireman

The free market at work

The free market is working properly, besides the place supermarkets have grabbed extra websites than they want. However total, when you reside in a suburb, you should have an excellent vary of meals shops.

Regionally, I’ve bought an Aldi, and for a wider vary of things, I get Tesco deliveries – I reside in a second-floor flat with no elevate, so getting it delivered to the door is a pleasant bonus.

Ender's Shadow

Good to have selection

Lidl and Aldi are a lot of a muchness as far as value is worried. With most items, nonetheless, Aldi's high quality is superior. Nevertheless, some Lidl objects are of higher high quality.

So, I largely store at Aldi; generally store at Lidl, but in addition – since they're close by – drop into Tesco and Sainsbury’s, too. If I am feeling posh and flush, I am going to Waitrose. Good to have all the variability, frankly.

MoodyJack

The deciding issue is the automobile parking

The worth distinction between Lidl and Aldi is so small – and their distinction to Waitrose is so huge – that it does not matter whether or not you store in Lidl or Aldi. I store in each.

For me, the deciding issue is the automobile parking. In Milton Keynes, the Aldi automobile park is a gigantic retail centre automobile park. The Lidl automobile park is subsequent to the shop and even has further area between vehicles so as to entry and open your automobile door conveniently.

PeterLoud1

Lidl dropped me

When Lidl dropped their crammed croissant and took out their bread slicing machine, in addition they dropped me. I used to drive the additional quarter-hour for each (and the remainder of my groceries). However, not.

Glenn

Processed

I reside in a small city in France with 5 impartial natural meals outlets, a twice-weekly market the place many stalls are native farmers and producers promoting native produce. I've realised that UK residents typically do not realise how processed and unhealthy their meals is – and the way a lot they're 'marketed' into being customers of tat.

SRKfan

Big Lidl fan

Checkout is simple at Lidl; I simply swipe every part into the trolley and pack it on the automobile. Don’t maintain up these behind you – it is unfair.

I am an enormous Lidl fan. I discover Aldi to be a bit too pretentious, as if it ever might be. Plus, we’ve bought a brand new Lidl solely quarter-hour from our rural location.

The fruit and veg are of a far superior high quality to that supplied by the massive supermarkets, and value much less.

I hardly ever purchase something from the center, although. I do look to see what's on provide, however other than the occasional cuddly toy, I by no means see something I really need.

Sure, I'm a Lidl fan. Additionally Meals Warehouse (have you ever seen their crisp choice?).

Drone1970

I’m not a fan of any

Fruit and veg high quality varies lots from place to put, in addition to in several shops. I discover that the most effective fruit and veg (close to me) tends to be in Aldi, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s... however that doesn’t imply that it's that approach in every single place. Quite a bit additionally is dependent upon the time of day and what's left on the cabinets...

I am not a fan of any grocery store, however that is to not say that I do not make use of them.

MarchesMood2

I decide the most effective from every

I've each Lidl and Aldi in my nearest city and I like each of them. Lidl for espresso, ice lotions, excessive fruit ratio conserves, chocolate, cat meals, olive oils.

Aldi’s fruit and veg are higher and hold longer. I just like the sourdough flatbreads (frozen pizza), bread (Lidl seeded loaf is mashy), meat, flavoured mayo, and canine treats.

Farmfoods is throughout the street from my Lidl, so I get all my frozen fruit and veg from there, plus an excellent vary of yummy sauces just like the candy chilli one for in my stir fries, kebab store type chilli and mint, creamy garlic sauce – all for round £1. And their frozen curries are beautiful with big chunks of actual meat.

Once I store each three weeks, it takes ages as I go to all three outlets for various issues. I decide the most effective from every.

fenwoman

Lidl staples are at all times in inventory

I am going to Lidl lots because it's close to me. What I do like is that they hold the identical vary of staples all 12 months spherical. So when you have a tendency to purchase among the identical issues each week, then it is a bonus. Not like some supermarkets that drop sure traces after simply a few weeks. “They had been right here final week” involves thoughts.

Amidthecrusaids

A number of the feedback have been edited for this text for brevity and readability.

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