British Expats

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-   -   Groceries (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/groceries-857019/)

Atlantic Xpat Jan 6th 2021 5:27 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by caretaker (Post 12954066)
Unsure if I should report this to the Humane Society/SPCA:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...5ed5781986.jpg

Frank, is not impressed...

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...4f32f0de3c.jpg
Image didn't post first time.


BristolUK Jan 6th 2021 6:07 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat (Post 12954681)
Image didn't post first time.

I wondered who Frank was.

caretaker Jan 6th 2021 7:02 am

Re: Groceries
 
Frank is a handsome boy. I just got back from a flashfood raid on Superstore, and snagged a block of imported cheddar, some sliced smoked gouda, 2 dry Roquefort salami, a little thing of pate, tub of macaroni salad and a loaf of pumpernickel for $15.09. I watched and waited until there were enough things I like at the right price to make it worth the drive up to the north end (4km each way).
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...a9fe2efa32.jpg

Teaandtoday5 Jan 6th 2021 8:35 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by caretaker (Post 12954740)
Frank is a handsome boy. I just got back from a flashfood raid on Superstore, and snagged a block of imported cheddar, some sliced smoked gouda, 2 dry Roquefort salami, a little thing of pate, tub of macaroni salad and a loaf of pumpernickel for $15.09. I watched and waited until there were enough things I like at the right price to make it worth the drive up to the north end (4km each way).
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...a9fe2efa32.jpg

that Scottish cheddar has been our regular cheese since it went down to $10 for a two pack at our nearest superstore

Frank is gorgeous

caretaker Jan 8th 2021 12:37 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by Teaandtoday5 (Post 12954810)
that Scottish cheddar has been our regular cheese since it went down to $10 for a two pack at our nearest superstore

$5 a great price for 400g of cheese, even domestic! I paid $4 and I think that was well below half price at Superstore here.
I bought Mario canned corned beef for $2.50 overnight. They said it was half price, but I've never seen corned beef at $5/can unless it was Palm brand. I know it's gone up (the days of $2.50 or $2.75 on sale are gone), but I can't believe it's gone up to $5. Wholesale Club doesn't have regular sales on stuff like that, as they are geared to commercial customers as well as private, so lots of things are a little cheaper at No Frills or Superstore.
Edit: I couldn't find the Scottish Cheddar on the Superstore Canada website, but their other Bradbury's cheeses are all $6.98/100g.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...49e5ce4d82.jpg

christmasoompa Jan 8th 2021 1:37 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by mdonald1987 (Post 12952974)
I just did a quick comparison on the above shopping list on my Tesco app and the cost is £25.21 or $43.91 using today’s exchange rate.

And that's (a) Tesco's, and (b) picking things like a sourdough loaf rather than 'normal' bread. If you did the same at Lidl the whole lot would be about £3.50. :lol:

mdonald1987 Jan 8th 2021 1:43 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by christmasoompa (Post 12955792)
And that's (a) Tesco's, and (b) picking things like a sourdough loaf rather than 'normal' bread. If you did the same at Lidl the whole lot would be about £3.50. :lol:

True and if Aldi (not that keen on Lidl) did delivery, we’d switch immediately. And I tried to match like-for-like on the shopping list to keep things comparable and that did include a sourdough loaf. I’d never think of buying such exotic items of course :wink_smile:

christmasoompa Jan 8th 2021 3:27 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by mdonald1987 (Post 12955798)
True and if Aldi (not that keen on Lidl) did delivery, we’d switch immediately.

They do click and collect, not in all stores though. But if your local one does it, saves you having to actually go in to the shop which is always a bonus.

Shard Jan 8th 2021 11:22 pm

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by mdonald1987 (Post 12952987)
Yes, I suppose you’re right, although I guess that depends where you live? If I lived and worked in Kelowna (dream city), it would probably be much the same as my Wife’s 45 min commute from West Lancs to Liverpool wouldn’t it?

But sticking to groceries, why are things much more expensive? I can’t imagine there not being enough resources available for Canada to be self-sufficient? The diverse climate should mean that you can grow/rear pretty much everything, right? I guess transportation will play a factor in costs but still..

I think part of it is that Britain has a highy highly competitive grocery sector. There are many big retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi, Occado) all competing in a densly populated area (Britain!) with excellent transportation and logistics. We take it for granted, but the retailers have squuezed costs to a minimum in order to compete with each other, and have a huge international supply chain.

Jerseygirl Jan 9th 2021 12:29 am

Re: Groceries
 
Having groceries delivered is fine, in this Covid world, but I like to select my own fresh food. Went to the grocery store this morning when they opened at 7 am. 2 other shoppers in the store.

BristolUK Jan 9th 2021 12:54 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 12956272)
Having groceries delivered is fine, in this Covid world, but I like to select my own fresh food. Went to the grocery store this morning when they opened at 7 am. 2 other shoppers in the store.

Plus if you're not careful, shopping on line can cost you an arm and a leg.

On the Instacart website I was picking bananas. One of the few fruit/veg things that are much the same price on the site as in-store.
The price listed was $1.90 and you could order as kilo or items. Obviously it was $1.90 per kg but I chose 8 and clicked items. (I have done it this way many times before, no problem) Total price $15.20 :ohmy:
So I changed it to weight and went for 1.5kg. We had 10 bananas delivered for $3.

Mind you, I have been in stores where they might have, say plums @ $2.99/lb and others @ $4.99/lb and they look identical.

When I check the PLU stickers I have found the numbers on both sets of plums are the same and, of course, correspond to the $4.99 ones. It's quite a shock if you didn't make the discovery in-store and only when you're at home you see the price on the receipt.

Shard Jan 9th 2021 2:05 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 12956272)
Having groceries delivered is fine, in this Covid world, but I like to select my own fresh food. Went to the grocery store this morning when they opened at 7 am. 2 other shoppers in the store.

I've used online delivery several times, but I also prefer an in person shop. Even with a set shopping list I find items that I hadn't thought of or good deals.

Jerseygirl Jan 9th 2021 2:13 am

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by Shard (Post 12956315)
I've used online delivery several times, but I also prefer an in person shop. Even with a set shopping list I find items that I hadn't thought of or good deals.

Me too. :). I usually go shopping midweek, mid morning, as I find that the quietest during Covid.

In normal times I usually keep a pretty good stock of essentials and things we use a lot. Since last March I have been getting a little extra each time I shop or place an order, because I anticipated lockdown this winter.

Shard Jan 9th 2021 5:45 pm

Re: Groceries
 
Package of Roquefort (sealed) in the fridge. I assumed it lasted forever, but it turns out use by October. Still ok? Or is blue cheese asking for trouble?

christmasoompa Jan 9th 2021 9:11 pm

Re: Groceries
 

Originally Posted by Shard (Post 12956542)
Package of Roquefort (sealed) in the fridge. I assumed it lasted forever, but it turns out use by October. Still ok? Or is blue cheese asking for trouble?

I'd eat it quite happily. But I completely ignore use by dates etc, so perhaps not the best person to ask.

If you're worried you could turn it in to a pasta sauce or use it in a soup so it's heated first?


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