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-   -   Supermarket (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/supermarket-806590/)

Novocastrian Aug 20th 2013 3:03 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by magnumpi (Post 10860186)
Why not shop there? We're else would you buy printer ink, or garden stuff, or household items and electrical goods, all the same make and models as Best Buy or other more expensive stores for cheaper.

Im sorry Novo but Price trumps snobbery every time for me.

We'll just disagree then. And it's not snobbery, it's ethics.

magnumpi Aug 20th 2013 3:07 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 10860198)
We'll just disagree then. And it's not snobbery, it's ethics.

Arh ok I get you now!

I apologise then. I do agree with the food being a no no in WMart.

Jimbo2012 Aug 20th 2013 3:07 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by KellieLouise (Post 10859823)
Hi,

I arrived in Ontario on Sunday with my partner and am still trying to get used to everything. In England we would normally do our food shopping in Asda or Tesco and I thought Walmart would be the Canadian equivalent, but the fresh food seemed to be of poor quality. Would anyone be able to recommend a good supermarket to shop in that is reasonably priced (food seems quite expensive, but I'm not sure if it's because I having been looking in the right place)?

Thanks!

Wouldn't bother with Walmart for general grocery shopping - they are okay for occasional general household stuff however (don't forget to wear your PJ's and slippers!).
As for food, we tend to use RCSS (Loblaws), Sobeys and sometimes No Frills. We haven't found anything as good or all-encompassing as Tesco or Sainsbury here, plus we find certain items like bread and breakfast cereal very expensive by comparison. And don't get me started on not being able to buy your beer and wine with your weekly shop....! They also seem a bit behind the UK on customer service i.e. they don't open enough checkouts when it is busy and not many stores have the self-serve checkouts.
On a more positive note, parking is often easier and we like the choice and the price of ice-cream here :p

Souvy Aug 20th 2013 3:15 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by wolstie (Post 10860195)
Cheers, I work 5 mins from there. May venture over at lunch time.

Was it with the pickles / gherkins?

Not sure but probably. The missus picked it up while I was searching the baking goods section for Marmite. You can always ask. From what I've seen/heard in that place, many of the customers are Brits (and so are some of the staff).

We don't go there often but it's on the way home from Homesense, so she has to compromise when she drags me down there to look at the crap she likes.

MarkG Aug 20th 2013 3:16 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat (Post 10860111)
Oh, those exotic Quebecois Walmarts. Here in Newfoundland, there is nary a fresh vegetable or piece of fruit to be seen. No, your foodstuffs are limited to packaged & processed gunk of all varities.

Depends on the Walmart. As far as I remember, two of ours have only processed and canned food, the third does have a fresh produce section. We buy from there if we happen to be in the store to buy something else, but wouldn't go out of our way otherwise.

Atlantic Xpat Aug 20th 2013 3:56 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 10860198)
We'll just disagree then. And it's not snobbery, it's ethics.

In my case it's most definately snobbery. One has standards after all. Walmart is a source of Diapers, Cat Food & Bum wad. Not much else in this household.

I'm sure we've been down this road before, but what other stores to you choose not to purchase from because of ethical considerations? Enquring minds and all that.

Piff Poff Aug 20th 2013 4:02 am

Re: Supermarket
 
When Walmart converted to fresh produce in Red Deer the quality of fresh produce was increased ten fold, I must say it is where I do the bulk of my grocery shopping these days, and my kid works there, which is so uncool according to her lol

Souvy Aug 20th 2013 4:19 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat (Post 10860285)
In my case it's most definately snobbery. One has standards after all. Walmart is a source of Diapers, Cat Food & Bum wad. Not much else in this household.

I'm sure we've been down this road before, but what other stores to you choose not to purchase from because of ethical considerations? Enquring minds and all that.

You should perhaps choose a different brand of cat food. It seems to be giving him/her the shits.

R I C H Aug 20th 2013 4:30 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat (Post 10860285)
I'm sure we've been down this road before, but what other stores to you choose not to purchase from because of ethical considerations? Enquring minds and all that.

I don't give ethics much of a thought when shopping. I just want an enjoyable experience, nice environment, pleasant staff. I'll avoid places because of poor parking, inconvenient access, branding that jars with my inner OCD and professional opinion, mixing with a demographic that requires cammo or PJ's to blend in, and all sorts of other illogical reasons.

I've never been in a Zellers, Target, Ikea, any $1 store, Wendy's, A&W, Bed Bath and Beyond, Foot Locker and various other stores that are unappealing. I avoid as far as possible Home Hardware, Rona, Walmart, Canadian Superstore, Jysk, The Brick, Winners and Homesense.

Novocastrian Aug 20th 2013 8:34 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat (Post 10860285)
In my case it's most definately snobbery. One has standards after all. Walmart is a source of Diapers, Cat Food & Bum wad. Not much else in this household.

Good for you. Snobbery suits you. I have no need of diapers, cat food and if bum wad means toilet paper, I have other sources. <I rip it off from the local mall's pissoir>

scrubbedexpat091 Aug 20th 2013 10:36 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat (Post 10859966)
There will be some variety of Loblaws/Superstore & Sobeys nearby, trust me. They are the rough equivalent of Tesco/Sainsbury in UK. Walmart is not a place one should shop for food.

Depends on the Wal-Mart and area I think, the new ones (here in many area's of BC anyhow) have pretty much everything Super Store has, fresh produce, meat, sea food, a bakery, and all the usual frozen and packaged foods.

HGerchikov Aug 20th 2013 10:45 am

Re: Supermarket
 
You can buy a house in our Walmart.

MillieF Aug 20th 2013 10:51 am

Re: Supermarket
 

Originally Posted by KellieLouise (Post 10859892)
Thanks for the replies. We're in the Waterloo/Kitchener area so I'll take a look and see if any of your suggestions are near by.

It takes a while to settle in and find your favorite supermarket, I thought I was a Sobey's woman, but have discovered I generally prefer the Superstore.

I am sure that you will have a Farmer's Market available somewhere near you, possibly only at the weekend? They have become very popular and have great quality locally produced seasonal fruit and veg. Very best of luck.

Lychee Aug 20th 2013 11:01 am

Re: Supermarket
 
Are there not independent supermarkets where you live? Small family-owned fruit & vegetable operators? I know you're in Waterloo/Kitchener, where I've never been, but here in Vancouver, the best produce (in terms of quality and price) can be found at the smaller supermarkets. The same goes with cheese (better prices/quality at speciality cheese shops, better meat quality/prices at independent butchers, etc.) Living in the suburbs here can be a different story, but I've found, at least in the west, you can't replicate English shopping habits in Canada, without being severely disappointed. There is no one supermarket where everything is good. That has been my observation.

bats Aug 20th 2013 11:30 am

Re: Supermarket
 
Walmart in Peterborough had a redo about a year ago, zellers became Walmart and the existing Walmart was pimped uo. The produce in there is the best around here. I don't go there regularly but if in that part of Pbro then I do. I can also stock up on British Heinz beans.

I used to have principles then we moved here and became poor.


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