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Thursday 12 June 2014

10 Reasons why Lidl is better than Tesco



Grocery shopping is a bore, but it has to be done. Since I started working part-time I have taken on more of  the shopping responsibilities for our family. We have 3 girls living with us and 1 more who visits regularly so budget is a very important factor , but it is  not  the only consideration, or the only reason I rate Lidl so much higher than the giant of British supermarkets Tesco.

Here are my reasons why:

1. Lidl is never over crowded. It is easy to park and you don't have to compete with a load of yummy mummies and babies, families cruising up and down the aisles having a day out at the supermarket. You also don't have to compete with those huge crate things that clutter up Tesco's aisles day and night.

2. Less "special" offers- there are very few/none of those annoying 3 for two or BOGOF offers that Tesco rely on to get you to part with your hard earned cash. As a result you buy what you need and don't have cupboards groaning with extra perishable food you don't want or need.

3. Hidden Gems- Lidl stock a range of luxury foods at a fraction of  the price of  other supermarkets, King prawns, crab meat, duck breasts, pate, and they have just added these coffee capsules to their range. I haven't  tried them yet, but I will, they work out approx half the price of Nespresso. Their ground coffee is pretty good, and their smoked ham is better than any I have tasted elsewhere.

4. Plants and Flowers- they routinely stock quality cut flowers like stock, peonies and and roses that open when you bring them home and don't stay in a weird frozen state like Tesco's do until they prematurely die.
I am the world's worst gardener, but have two shrubs alive and well on my deck that I bought about 7 years ago and have survived 2 house moves.

5. Excellent quality produce- I am sick of buying fruit in Tesco that either doesn't ripen at all or ripens at an alarming rate the minute you bring it home. The punnets of pre-selected plums/ peaches /pears are ALWAYS of the poorest quality and taste of nothing- if they are all even edible. The last 5 batches of bananas I bought in Tesco were green on the outside ( and strangely wet) and at least 1/3 black inside. Yuk.
I bought bananas in Lidl yesterday and they were ripe but not bruised and tasted like bananas. Lovely. Lidl also stock mangoes, pineapples and melons, limes all cheaper than Tesco, and so far pretty good.

6.Quick to navigate - Lidl is a lot smaller than Tesco and while it doesn't carry the full range of  choices that larger supermarkets do, it makes it so much faster to get around. I can do the whole store in about 20 minutes. Tesco takes me 1.5/2 hours of hell.


7. No frills-I like the no frills displays, no excess packaging and the lack of choice is almost refreshing. I will deliberate over 30 different types of washing powder, or hand-wash, if there are only 4 my life is  so much simpler. Also I like not having to fill the bin with excess packaging when I unpack the shopping.

8. No distractions- If I shop in Tesco I will almost always buy something I didn't go in there for, some glasses, a nice candle or some PJ's for  the kids. Lidl has less distractions. They have  their specials that change every week.  I can always walk past any clothing on offer, I'm not into power tools or gardening equipment, and if I do get sidelined by a craft set or a few kids books at least they will cost me less than £5.

9. Less ready meals-Lidl don't seem to stock a lot of heat and serve food so it's easier to make healthy choices for meals. Having said  that their Lasagne is one of our family favourites even the kids eat it. It's one of  #1 daughter's favourite dinners.

10. Big brands discounted- Lidl also stock some of my favourite brands, Cadbury, Weetabix, Muller, but at discount prices.

So in conclusion, Lidl is just better. Get over your brand snobbery and give it a chance. Even if you just get some bin bags, catfood and a bottle of very decent Prosecco ( for only £7.50) it's well worth a visit.

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