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A guide to Supermarkets in London

Which one has the lowest prices? How late is Tesco open? Is Tesco Express different from Tesco? I’m confused….can someone please explain to me the supermarkets in London.

Of course, we can. London is confusing in its own right. Do you use an Oyster card or contactless card to take the tube? Why are people talking in that funny accent? What time is acceptable to go to the pub?

There are many things that Ayo will eventually learn after moving to his bustling capital city. One of the most important things to learn is where to do your weekly, or daily, shopping. After all, London is very expensive — you want to save money any way you can! 

Let’s check out a few must-know facts before you book your flight and pay for your apartment rental in this metropolis. 

There are 4 big supermarkets

Waitrose Cheadle – By Geoff Welding, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5963674

The big four supermarkets in the United Kingdom as a whole, and London specifically, are Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons. Of course, there are others, like Waitrose — avoid at all costs. Waitrose is not only the most expensive option out of all of the supermarkets, but it basically has the same selections. So instead of paying $3 for a bottle of water, you will pay $5 — pointless, isn’t it?

The main differences between the big four supermarkets are the prices, selection, and availability. In some stores, you will find certain brands more frequently than others. For example, you may find more specific products in Asda than you would find in Tesco, like gluten-free or dairy-free products. However, Tesco may have a better selection of pre-made sandwiches and dishes than others. Knowing what each grocery store specializes in can help you make the best choice for your weekly shopping trips. 

Waitrose

Waitrose stall in Headingley during a 2014 Test between England and Sri Lanka – By Mtaylor848 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33791272

Okay, maybe you are just curious why so many people still shop here if it is so expensive. The main reason why people flock to Waitrose is their organic products and specialty food items. If you are gluten intolerant or you have the money to spend on organic fruits and vegetables, Waitrose offers the best selection. 

We recommend only coming to Waitrose if you need a specialty item or you really hit the jackpot when it comes to making a bank in London. Do you need organic juice that costs $8 a bottle? Waitrose has it. Maybe you want only ethically-farmed meat. Come to Waitrose. However, For many expats, this really just is not the case. 

³§²¹¾±²Ô²õ²ú³Ü°ù²â’s

Sainsbury’s Bradford – By My another account (talk) – I (My another account (talk)) created this work entirely by myself., CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17030429

³§²¹¾±²Ô²õ²ú³Ü°ù²â’s is great for those who want a large selection, affordable prices, and a selection of food. You will find organic and local food, but you can also find national chains and well-known brands without spending a fortune. ³§²¹¾±²Ô²õ²ú³Ü°ù²â’s is the equivalent of an ACME in the United States — a mid-range and mid-budget supermarket that has a large selection of food. We recommend joining Nectar, a loyalty program that helps you earn money back with your purchases if you are spending a significant amount of time in London! 

Tesco

New Tesco store Crediton – By Roger Cornfoot, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14472536

This may be the most well-known grocery store in the UK. with almost 30% of the market, Tesco is the country’s largest chain. However, you may notice that as soon as you walk to the store, it is basically the same as ³§²¹¾±²Ô²õ²ú³Ü°ù²â’s — and you would be correct. Even though some may think that Tesco is a more budget-friendly option than Sainsbury’s, but the prices are very comparable. 

If you decide that Tesco is the best for your shopping, we recommend getting a Tesco Club card to earn money back, convert your points, and earn discounts on other stores. 

Asda

Asda House Leeds – By Mtaylor848 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36342813

Although lesser-used than Tesco and Sainsbury’s, Asda is still a budget-friendly option for those living in the UK. However, if you are moving to London, Asda is found much less frequently than ³§²¹¾±²Ô²õ²ú³Ü°ù²â’s or Tesco, making it a less practical choice if you are trying to get your shopping done on your way home from work. Plus, there is no loyalty card — and we love discounts!