Supermarkets discussion

[MasterSpenny]

Getting food and drink is turning into a problem at my local Tesco!

Anyway, earlier I went to Tesco to purchase 3 items: some bread, a 2 pint skimmed milk and a 4 pint semi skimmed milk. Went for the milk: can only get a semi skimmed one as the 2 pints for skimmed milk were not there. I go for the bread: hopes that it will have a decent date on it, but then I check the date. It shows 3rd of November. Tesco is starting to not be as good with items use by date. The bread is also 16 slices as well!

Does anybody know if other Tescos have use by dates this close as well? Or am I just unlucky and come to the store close to their next delivery of items?

 

[gg1]

Getting food and drink is turning into a problem at my local Tesco!

Anyway, earlier I went to Tesco to purchase 3 items: some bread, a 2 pint skimmed milk and a 4 pint semi skimmed milk. Went for the milk: can only get a semi skimmed one as the 2 pints for skimmed milk were not there. I go for the bread: hopes that it will have a decent date on it, but then I check the date. It shows 3rd of November. Tesco is starting to not be as good with items use by date. The bread is also 16 slices as well!

Does anybody know if other Tescos have use by dates this close as well? Or am I just unlucky and come to the store close to their next delivery of items?

Is it a Tesco Express?

I've found the small stores have poorer dates generally (not just for bread) than the large ones, I prefer to buy bread with a date at least 4 days ahead and usually manage to find them at Tesco.

 

[MasterSpenny]

Is it a Tesco Express?

I've found the small stores have poorer dates generally (not just for bread) than the large ones, I prefer to buy bread with a date at least 4 days ahead and usually manage to find them at Tesco.

Yes it was a Tesco Express, I have other stores in my area including a large Tesco with a Morrisons opposite, so I will compare them to the Tesco Express where I purchased my items from

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Getting food and drink is turning into a problem at my local Tesco!

Anyway, earlier I went to Tesco to purchase 3 items: some bread, a 2 pint skimmed milk and a 4 pint semi skimmed milk. Went for the milk: can only get a semi skimmed one as the 2 pints for skimmed milk were not there. I go for the bread: hopes that it will have a decent date on it, but then I check the date. It shows 3rd of November. Tesco is starting to not be as good with items use by date. The bread is also 16 slices as well!

Does anybody know if other Tescos have use by dates this close as well? Or am I just unlucky and come to the store close to their next delivery of items?

Availability of milk at my Tesco (supermarket size) is very variable. I haven't worked out if it is because they are carrying reduced amounts of stock and/or whether they are only having deliveries certain days of the week. My comments apply to semi-skimmed single pints and organic two-pinters. The latter in particular can be 'all or nothing'. Organic single pints were a casualty of Covid. I wouldn't mind if they made known which days they are having stock, I can always change my shopping day to suit. Dates are generally (at least) seven days ahead, I wouldn't buy anything less.

As for bread, no problems on availability or long dates. Recently they seem to put out the in-store bakery loaves (Wholemeal sliced 800g) with yellow stickers on, not all loaves just some of the batch. Is there a minimum batch they can do and so need to knock some out cheap to make it worthwhile baking at all?

 

[GusB]

I experienced a no-milk situation in Tesco last week. It was early evening and the rather embarrassed chap at the kiosk informed me that they hadn't received their delivery that day. I would have thought that they would have carried enough stock to cover for late deliveries - milk does have quite a long shelf life these days, after all, and it's not unknown for deliveries to be delayed in the winter months due to bad weather.

I was doing a top-up shop, and because buying milk was my main reason for going out, they missed out on the whole basketful - I went to the nearby Aldi instead.

From my time working at the Co-op, I do recall some delivery drivers saying that they had to prioritise certain stores because if they didn't arrive by a certain time the delivery would be refused; I wonder if this is was the case here.

 

[Hadders]

I experienced a no-milk situation in Tesco last week. It was early evening and the rather embarrassed chap at the kiosk informed me that they hadn't received their delivery that day. I would have thought that they would have carried enough stock to cover for late deliveries - milk does have quite a long shelf life these days, after all, and it's not unknown for deliveries to be delayed in the winter months due to bad weather.

I was doing a top-up shop, and because buying milk was my main reason for going out, they missed out on the whole basketful - I went to the nearby Aldi instead.

From my time working at the Co-op, I do recall some delivery drivers saying that they had to prioritise certain stores because if they didn't arrive by a certain time the delivery would be refused; I wonder if this is was the case here.

It's probably as simple as a driver phoning in sick at the milk depot, leaving a route uncovered.

 

[Simon75]

I'm still surprised that you still have multiple Co Op societies (though buying and logistics use the Co group depots).

 

[GusB]

It's probably as simple as a driver phoning in sick at the milk depot, leaving a route uncovered.

Perhaps. However, it's a major fail if you don't deliver to one of the biggest stores in the area!

 

[Blindtraveler]

And it's even more of an epic fail when you've made the effort to go to your regular supermarket either on grounds of cost, convenience or simply because you want more of the same products that you regularly buy and find they haven't got them particularly when it comes to stuff like milk but yet your local news and booze which you drove past on the way might be more expensive but goes to much more considerable efforts to keep basic commodities like milk in stock at virtually all times and whilst the price might be higher and shelf life shorter you have at least got it

 

[Busaholic]

And it's even more of an epic fail when you've made the effort to go to your regular supermarket either on grounds of cost, convenience or simply because you want more of the same products that you regularly buy and find they haven't got them particularly when it comes to stuff like milk but yet your local news and booze which you drove past on the way might be more expensive but goes to much more considerable efforts to keep basic commodities like milk in stock at virtually all times and whilst the price might be higher and shelf life shorter you have at least got it

Which is a good reason for using your local convenience store in more than just an 'emergency milk' situation. They're not always more expensive for everything (for instance, my local one has Bonne Maman jam on special offer at £2.50, £1 off, which is cheaper than Clubcard or Nectar offers by at least 30p, so I bought five jars.) Besides, it is 50 yards from where I live so can go there on foot, saving fuel in the car. Also, their date sell-off stuff gives a better percentage off in most cases and can sometimes give you a day or two before it should be consumed.

 

[takno]

Which is a good reason for using your local convenience store in more than just an 'emergency milk' situation. They're not always more expensive for everything (for instance, my local one has Bonne Maman jam on special offer at £2.50, £1 off, which is cheaper than Clubcard or Nectar offers by at least 30p, so I bought five jars.) Besides, it is 50 yards from where I live so can go there on foot, saving fuel in the car. Also, their date sell-off stuff gives a better percentage off in most cases and can sometimes give you a day or two before it should be consumed.

By contrast my local convenience store was more expensive for literally everything, and they had a nasty habit of just changing the dates when things went out of date. They did have a more reliable supply of milk, purely because the distribution was done from a relatively nearby dairy by a bloke in a 4x4, but the milk was delivered at 4am and sat outdoors until the owners turned up at 8 or 9, meaning that in summer it rarely made it through to the sell-by date.

I'm not saying corner shops are inevitably terrible, but I've seen a lot more like my example than I ever have decent ones, and the rise of Tesco Express and Sainbury's Local has radically improved the situation everywhere I've lived.

 

[Busaholic]

By contrast my local convenience store was more expensive for literally everything, and they had a nasty habit of just changing the dates when things went out of date. They did have a more reliable supply of milk, purely because the distribution was done from a relatively nearby dairy by a bloke in a 4x4, but the milk was delivered at 4am and sat outdoors until the owners turned up at 8 or 9, meaning that in summer it rarely made it through to the sell-by date.

I'm not saying corner shops are inevitably terrible, but I've seen a lot more like my example than I ever have decent ones, and the rise of Tesco Express and Sainbury's Local has radically improved the situation everywhere I've lived.

My corner shop is a Co-op, but I still classify it as such, open 7-11. There is a much larger Co-op supermarket a couple of hundred yards away, but the two seem to be managed totally separately and staff never move from one to the other. Prices are integrated now, however, whereas at one time the smaller one was pricier on many everyday items. The larger shop is open to 10 during the week, but is deserted in the evening, probably because they rely on the worst self-service tills in existence with only one manned till, and that person has to sort out the machine problems and load shelves as well. The corner one, with no self-service tills, has a permanently manned till in the evening and the ability to get a second or third person to open another till. Shoplifting is a problem, and that I am sure means the Co-op will always be a bit pricier. Locals know now that police almost never respond to shoplifting reports these days, whereas pre-Covid they were down there almost every day.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Which is a good reason for using your local convenience store in more than just an 'emergency milk' situation. They're not always more expensive for everything (for instance, my local one has Bonne Maman jam on special offer at £2.50, £1 off, which is cheaper than Clubcard or Nectar offers by at least 30p, so I bought five jars.) Besides, it is 50 yards from where I live so can go there on foot, saving fuel in the car. Also, their date sell-off stuff gives a better percentage off in most cases and can sometimes give you a day or two before it should be consumed.

Exactly this, I will always try and do so although sadly since I moved house eight months ago I no longer have a local shop so it's quite often a case of deliveroo or similar for those odds and sods that I can't be bothered going out for but we'll still support local convenient store when I am at friends or relatives and such is available

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Which is a good reason for using your local convenience store in more than just an 'emergency milk' situation. They're not always more expensive for everything (for instance, my local one has Bonne Maman jam on special offer at £2.50, £1 off, which is cheaper than Clubcard or Nectar offers by at least 30p, so I bought five jars.) Besides, it is 50 yards from where I live so can go there on foot, saving fuel in the car. Also, their date sell-off stuff gives a better percentage off in most cases and can sometimes give you a day or two before it should be consumed.

My nearest convenience store is a One Stop (proprietor Tesco, not a franchise), the next nearest shop would then be Aldi which is across the road from Tesco (supermarket). Heading another way there is the One Stop converted from a pub (bullet proof glass hatch for evening service). In another direction there is an independent convenience store (Premier I think) which has milk supplied from a dairy in that well known agricultural area known as Wolverhampton.

During Covid I thought I would use the One Stop (closer, less busy etc.). The choice was pretty dire unless you wanted beer, crisps, chocolate and similar long-life items.

But I do agree that, for those without a large supermarket in easy walking distance, supporting your 'local' shop is a good thing to help retain it for those who need it. The same can be said for all local facilities. You never know when you might rely on those 'local' services yourself and when they're gone, they're gone.

 

[route101]

I find the standard of small convenience or corner shops varies so much even if it is a Nisa or Premier. You really have to check the dates of products in them.

 

[Blindtraveler]

One stop are hopeless, I will occasionally use them if having something delivered but we'll try and find an alternative before I do that

 

[sprunt]

I would love to have a good local convenience store I could go to when I need bread or milk. Instead, I have a Tesco Express.

 

[jon81uk]

My full size Sainsbury's supermarket is only a fifteen minute walk. Don't need a convenience store! Although I do wish there was one at the station as instead I tend to get groceries in London before travelling.

 

[al78]

I have a Tesco supermarket a 10 minute walk away but I like to occasionally use the even more local Co-op which is a two minute walk for occasional everyday groceries. Shopping at Tesco has become more frustrating in recent months because they seem to frequently run out of something I want or stop selling it. I wouldn't have thought a tin of black treacle would have been a hot high demand foodstuff in the town of Horsham.

 

[Lost property]

I have a Tesco supermarket a 10 minute walk away but I like to occasionally use the even more local Co-op which is a two minute walk for occasional everyday groceries. Shopping at Tesco has become more frustrating in recent months because they seem to frequently run out of something I want or stop selling it. I wouldn't have thought a tin of black treacle would have been a hot high demand foodstuff in the town of Horsham.

I am reliably informed that, in a location I know quite well, you would no longer have this option as the local Co-op has closed to be replaced by ?....a Tesco Express !...truly, life mirrors art here with that classic joke about "next Tesco, 1.5 miles " given this is the distance between the new Express store and the well established main store !

I rarely use processed food but wasn't averse to Tesco's Bubble n Squeak....however, this has now changed from a reasonable and edible content to basically diluted watery mash with a couple of bits of cabbage. Tesco have long excelled at conning the public as to how they care for the customer and the quality of their products.

The recent deteriorations in the latter, across a range of products, suggests this myth is about to be exposed.

 

[Busaholic]

I am reliably informed that, in a location I know quite well, you would no longer have this option as the local Co-op has closed to be replaced by ?....a Tesco Express !...truly, life mirrors art here with that classic joke about "next Tesco, 1.5 miles " given this is the distance between the new Express store and the well established main store !

I rarely use processed food but wasn't averse to Tesco's Bubble n Squeak....however, this has now changed from a reasonable and edible content to basically diluted watery mash with a couple of bits of cabbage. Tesco have long excelled at conning the public as to how they care for the customer and the quality of their products.

The recent deteriorations in the latter, across a range of products, suggests this myth is about to be exposed.

Tesco Instant Mash which was 'price checked' with Aldi until a month or two ago was 84p, now it's £1.25, so I now buy the superior Albert Bartlett version at £1.30.

Tesco obviously have a policy directly contrary to Boots, which is busy closing shops which have another branch within a mile, even if the 'other branch' is basically a much-loved, long-established pharmacy still known to locals under its old name whereas the main branch is a shop devoted to selling 'goods' with as few staff as possible, plus a pharmacy with the longest queues, surly staff and lesser opening hours.

 

[jon0844]

I've all but given up on Boots as they appear to sell some products for more than the SRP. I get that they can price things however they want, but I feel they've got very greedy the last few years (maybe longer).

They've reduced their opening hours by me and a lot of other chemists have closed, so it must be harder to get medicines out of hours if they're not off the shelf items you can get from a corner shop.

 

[Gloster]

There is a serious shortage of pharmacists: last year there were fewer pharmacy employees in most categories than in 2017. I have been told that the reason one of our local chemists closed was because the shortage meant that the chain was having to pay a fortune for locums and even then having closures that lost trade. By closing a branch they can redeploy the staff to keep other branches open.

 

[Busaholic]

I've all but given up on Boots as they appear to sell some products for more than the SRP. I get that they can price things however they want, but I feel they've got very greedy the last few years (maybe longer).

They've reduced their opening hours by me and a lot of other chemists have closed, so it must be harder to get medicines out of hours if they're not off the shelf items you can get from a corner shop.

Despite my local large Boots opening on a Sunday, the pharmacy is now closed on a permanent basis on that day. The pharmacy is located at the back of the store, but there is no notice of this until you get there. It's the same on Saturday with it closing at 5 p.m. rather than 5.30 like the rest of the store. I arrived there at two minutes past five last week and felt put out as I now had to wait until the Monday, as well as having to walk an unnecessary distance which I find difficult. We now have no pharmacy locally open out of hours or on a Sunday.

 

[317 forever]

That wouldn't be possible in the Hinckley branch, the staff have always been morose and sullen.
It was a much friendlier shop when it was Safeways

Talking of Hinckley, Sainsbury's is in an excellent location, just at the end of the bus station.

 

[75A]

Talking of Hinckley, Sainsbury's is in an excellent location, just at the end of the bus station.

With a big car park underneath it as well.

 

[DannyMich2018]

With a big car park underneath it as well.

It's a good pleasant nice size clean store. However be careful when shopping regarding Nectar prices as the non Nectar prices for many items are way inflated-for example Fray Bentos pies are £3.25 but Nectar price is £1.75, these are £1.75 in B and M and Home Bargains right now so not as great deal as they seem!! Gordon's 1 litre Gin, £24.00 in Sainsbury's and Tesco, £18.00 with Nectar or Clubcard but £18.00 Asda or Morrison's. Just be careful when shopping!!

 

[Jamesrob637]

It's a good pleasant nice size clean store. However be careful when shopping regarding Nectar prices as the non Nectar prices for many items are way inflated-for example Fray Bentos pies are £3.25 but Nectar price is £1.75, these are £1.75 in B and M and Home Bargains right now so not as great deal as they seem!! Gordon's 1 litre Gin, £24.00 in Sainsbury's and Tesco, £18.00 with Nectar or Clubcard but £18.00 Asda or Morrison's. Just be careful when shopping!!

Nectar prices are good, but often not that good.

 

[dk1]

Nectar prices are good, but often not that good.

Always do my nectar offers and adding to that the new nectar only prices and doing SmartShop (which I have started recently) can save a pretty penny.

 

[GusB]

Having had a disappointing experience in Tesco last week, it was Asda's turn this week. As I drove in, my first thought was that there were trolleys lying around everywhere and when I got to the front door there were none located in the main bay. When I did eventually locate one of the smaller ones, I discovered it had a dodgy wheel. The lady at customer services was apologetic enough, but just shrugged and said she'd been trying to get someone to round them up for a while.

My old store manager would have had kittens if he'd seen that - a very poor first impression.