Supermarkets in Ireland?

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

What's your favourite supermarket and why?

Tesco used to be my least favourite supermarket as I thought they offered the least value for money, but their website is absolutely fantastic and they will literally do your shopping for you and deliver it to your door for as little as 3 euro. So they are currently my favourite. They also seem to carry the widest/biggest range of products.

My previous favourite used to be Dunnes Stores. Their shop and save coupons offer exceptional value as it will deduct 10 euro from every 50 euro you spend. They carry a really good range of products in my opinion, second only to Tesco and they are Irish owned which is presumably a good thing.

Aldi were my favourite before that again. They have plenty of Irish products, not as many as the others but still quite a lot in my opinion. They offer the best value for money out of all of the supermarkets and still provide excellent quality. The checkout system is a little too intense for my liking, I know that's how they can save on costs but it's too much for me sometimes.
Lidl is more or less the same as Aldi, just a little bit not as good as Aldi.

SuperValu seem to carry the most Irish products and the fresh ready meals they sell are by far the nicest. They have the best delis out of all the supermarkets in my opinion. Also Irish owned and more likely to have very local products on sale depending on the location.

Marks and Spencer's is rather pricey, but they have the best quality products on sale. And getting a few purchases in their from time to time is well worth it in my opinion. Such as their tea leaves and chocolate cookies which are as nice as it gets.

Londis/Centra/Spar don't really count as they are not really where anyone would do a weekly 'big shop'.

I'm aware that this might just be the most boring OP ever written on this forum, but I'm very bored today and felt like sharing my views on Irish supermarkets.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

SuperValu is my favourite for variety, but I'd have to get a second job if I wanted to do my weekly shop in it.

donegal.

2 of my favorites are independents , no option on the poll?

Billy86

SuperValu

Lidl and Aldi hands down for me, for most bits. I can't wrap my head around people who do the weeks shopping in M&S unless they're obscenely rich, though they do make some great stuff and I pop in to pick up 2 or 3 bits here or there.

Dunnes are the only one I try to avoid, though Supervalu's prices can leave a bit to be desired at times.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Lidl

donegal. wrote: »

2 of my favorites are independents , no option on the poll?

Didn't think of them sorry. I was simply unaware that their are independent super markets as their is none around where I live. What part of the country are their independent supermarkets?

freshpopcorn

Dunnes Stores

Tesco in generally for us. Staff are friendly, always clean, generally well stocked, has everything we need, good special offers.

VinLieger

Aldi

Definitely dunnes, however their store layouts make no fvcking sense whatsoever, I get the intention is to make you walk through the entire store and buy things you hadnt thought of but its annoying as hell. Id still prefer shopping there over Tesco any day of the week

noaddedsugar

Tesco online. I have a family, I work fulltime, I have no desire to spend my free time dragging a trolley around a supermarket when a few clicks will get it delivered to my door.

super_furry

Londis/Centra/Spar

Marks and Spencers for the fancy stuff, Lidl and Aldi for the rest.

Not Being Pedantic But

My first post in years on this site and I cannot believe that despite all the serious issues affecting our Country right now and indeed in my own life that I'm compelled to comment on this thread!!

I used to be the biggest snob ever when it came to branding etc. I'm admittedly embarrassed and ashamed. Superquinn was our local supermarket where I grew up and again my local where I bought. Since Musgraves/ SuperValu took control I avoid. The fruit and veg is rotten before you even pass the till and they push their own brands down your face.

Dunnes Stores is the worst though and whilst I would love to support Irish, the staff are obviously all so miserable and unhelpful possibly understandably so due to their zero hour contracts.

Tesco- yuk.

I once could have afforded to shop in Donnybrook Fair and Avoca and do my main shop in M&S but I now love Lidl!! Fresh produce, lovely staff as they are empowered by management and have great promotion opportunities. Their cheese and wine is also of an excellent quality. I don't eat meat or fish so can't comment on that. Majority of their dairy products are supplied by well established, premium producers.

They demonstrate the despicable mark-up on products like facial wipes, shampoo and toothpaste etc. too.

Forgot to mention their bakery best bread ever!!

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Tesco, but tbh mostly because it's the closest. Usually do a stock up in Lidl or Aldi every few weeks and then a weekly one in Tesco. There's an M&S close to me, sometimes I run in at the end of the day and grab some reduced to clear stuff but I couldn't be shopping there regularly. They are the only supermarket I've found that sells potted herbs that don't immediately die though.

Avoid Dunnes unless I absolutely can't, nothing to do with the prices, just a totally cu.nty company.

BailMeOut

Marks and Spencer's

SuperValu is easily the best.

Irish company
Best products
Big emphasis on local produce and suppliers
Huge supporter of local communities
Supervalu branded products are generally really good and in many case better than name branded products
Proper butchers in all stores
Excellent in house bakery

The mini Supervalu stores (Centra) are also really good.

murpho999

SuperValu

super_furry wrote: »

Marks and Spencers for the fancy stuff, Lidl and Aldi for the rest.

What sort of fancy stuff?

I really find M&S to be the most over hyped and over priced shop of all.

Also, a very poor selection of Irish produce.

Not Being Pedantic But

BailMeOut wrote: »

SuperValu is easily the best.

Irish company
Best products
Big emphasis on local produce and suppliers
Huge supporter of local communities
Supervalu branded products are generally really good and in many case better than name branded products
Proper butchers in all stores
Excellent in house bakery

The mini Supervalu stores (Centra) are also really good.

Before Musgraves/ SuperValu took over Superquinn they did actually employ professional butchers and fishmongers.

However, my Mum recently asked a girl behind the fish counter in SuperValu as to what she would suggest (I think it was like Cod versus Hake) and the girl said 'I haven't a clue I can't stand fish'. Some professional fishmonger right?!

BailMeOut

Marks and Spencer's

Not Being Pedantic But wrote: »

Before Musgraves/ SuperValu took over Superquinn they did actually employ professional butchers and fishmongers.

However, my Mum recently asked a girl behind the fish counter in SuperValu as to what she would suggest (I think it was like Cod versus Hake) and the girl said 'I haven't a clue I can't stand fish'. Some professional fishmonger right?!

my local Supervalu which was never a Superquinn has a real butcher and real fish monger.

RasTa

Lidl

I see M&S as all pre packed crap. Their meat is about 50% overpriced and usually English.

FxB's for meat and local fishmongers for fish.

Aldi for the rest.

super_furry

Londis/Centra/Spar

murpho999 wrote: »

What sort of fancy stuff?

I really find M&S to be the most over hyped and over priced shop of all.

Also, a very poor selection of Irish produce.

Christmas and party food, lunches if I'm on the go and need to grab something, decent meal deals.

Wouldn't buy meat, veg or fish there and still don't think there's a better non-butcher steak that Aldi's fillet streaks.

optogirl

SuperValu

Used to be Tesco but without going all advert on your ass*s, I now do my 'big shop' in Lidl and am saving about 30-40 quid on every shop. Limited choice means quicker getting around...although I do sometimes come home with some tupperware/toys/spatulas/car engine oil that I didn't have on the list - still saving a fortune compared with Tesco.

OldMrBrennan83

Marks and Spencer's

This post has been deleted.

Billy86

SuperValu

murpho999 wrote: »

What sort of fancy stuff?

I really find M&S to be the most over hyped and over priced shop of all.

Also, a very poor selection of Irish produce.

What I found them great for when I worked in town was when you finished a long/bad day in work and weren't going to be arsed properly cooking anything, their premade meals work out less than a takeaway and are generally really tasty, meat pies and pasta based stuff especially. Their cakes and cookies are also head and shoulders above competitors, so I'd usually wind up grabbing something there too.

Not Being Pedantic But

BailMeOut wrote: »

my local Supervalu which was never a Superquinn has a real butcher and real fish monger.

Very true... massive difference between the core locally-owned SuperValus and those that were sucked in. Good for you but 3 of my local (as in 5-15min drive) ex- Superquinns have now literally gone to the dogs.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Lidl

I also didn't include local butchers/fish mongers/farmers markets/regular markets/veg stalls ect. which I would use weekly myself. I just figured everybody literally has to do a shop in one of the big supermarket chains on a regular basis so thought to only include them in the poll options.

super_furry

Londis/Centra/Spar

The two Super Quinns I would have used have gone through the floor since the switch to Super Valu. It never made sense to me as Super Quinn seemed to be a much higher prestige brand. It would be like Tesco buying M&S and rebranding them all to Tesco Express.

murpho999

SuperValu

Billy86 wrote: »

What I found them great for when I worked in town was when you finished a long/bad day in work and weren't going to be arsed properly cooking anything, their premade meals work out less than a takeaway and are generally really tasty, meat pies and pasta based stuff especially. Their cakes and cookies are also head and shoulders above competitors, so I'd usually wind up grabbing something there too.

Ok, I just don't like pre-packed meals. The idea of it just turns me off the food when it's just as easy to cook fresh.

I also wouldn't rate a supermarket because of their cakes, but that's just me.

Whispered

I do Tesco online. If I go into the shop I spend a fortune but online I can fill the basket then give myself a stern talking to and take half of the crap out.
I save a fortune doing it that way.

Aldi would be my second choice, if they did click and collect I would never go near Tesco again!

Dunned always astounds me at how much I manage to spend on everyday things.

branie2

Aldi

Dunnes, as it has great value for money

RustyNut

I used to do a good bit of shopping in my local tesco till I read that one of their shops had a partial closure by the food safety people and I really hate getting the sh1ts.

FSAI

Closure Order

It is issued if in the opinion of the authorised officer, there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at/or in the food premises.

Wednesday, 9 August 2017

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that nine Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the month of July for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998. The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive.

Nine Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

Punjab Pantry (restaurant/caf 39 Richmond Street South, Dublin 2
Hartleys (restaurant/caf(Closed Area: basement dry goods store and basement cleaning store only), 1 Harbour Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Zam Zam Kebab House (restaurant/caf 16 Mallin Street, Wexford
Moo's Burrito (restaurant/caf 62 Georges Street Upper, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Costa Coffee (restaurant/caf Unit 1 Longford Retail Park, Longford
Tesco, Ballyfermot (supermarket) (Closed area: deli, bakery, and loose fruit and vegetable areas), Tesco Shopping Centre, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
Weeping Thaiger (restaurant/caf New Town Centre, Naas, Kildare
Aroma Chinese, 72 St Laurences Park, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
Tasty Spice (take away), Main Street, Abbeyleix, Laois

Supervalue for me from now on

Billy86

SuperValu

murpho999 wrote: »

Ok, I just don't like pre-packed meals. The idea of it just turns me off the food when it's just as easy to cook fresh.

I also wouldn't rate a supermarket because of their cakes, but that's just me.

Well yeah I don't really look at them as a supermarket as I'd never look to buy 75% of the stuff in there like meat, pasta, dairy, bread, etc. I'm usually the same on premade meals but M&S would be an exception.

BailMeOut

Marks and Spencer's

super_furry wrote: »

The two Super Quinns I would have used have gone through the floor since the switch to Super Valu. It never made sense to me as Super Quinn seemed to be a much higher prestige brand. It would be like Tesco buying M&S and rebranding them all to Tesco Express.

Some of the Supervalu stores around the country are so good and way better than any of old the Superquinn (pre takeover). I bet you are in Dublin and suspect the Supervalu's up there are not as good?. Example Kinsale, Clonakilty, Bandon and Carrigaline Supervalu and especially Kinsale and Clonakilty which must be two of the best supermarkets in Ireland.

RhubarbCrumble

Lidl

I do most of my shopping in Aldi and pick up the few remaining bits in Tesco. I hate Super Valu. My local one is horrible, horrible layout, horrible staff, constant out of stocks and it was the same when it was Superquinn.

LirW

SuperValu

Lidl. Once a week shopping in Lidl, and it has Tesco across the Road for the stuff that I can't get in Lidl. During the week if I have to pick bits and pieces up at the super fancy ones in Gorey.
From time to time I have to go to the Asia Market in Dublin because I cook a lot of Asian food and they have everything I need that I'd never get in Tesco.

freshpopcorn

Dunnes Stores

BailMeOut wrote: »

Some of the Supervalu stores around the country are so good and way better than any of old the Superquinn (pre takeover). I bet you are in Dublin and suspect the Supervalu's there are not as good up there. Example Kinsale, Clonakilty, Bandon and Carrigaline Supervalu (especially Kinsale and Clonakilty) must be two of the best supermarkets in Ireland.

They are only a handful of good Supervalu's in my experience around the country Mallow, Cahir, Mitchelstown, Clonmel, Cahel, formal superquinn in Portlaoise, Merchants Quay are all bog standard supermarkets. Rubbish Bakery/very standard bought in products, Often experience out of date products, special offers are hidden.
The better supervalu's have good bakeries/cakes/etc but I would only purchase these mainly for Birthday's/occasions and wouldn't be in a standard's weekly shop.

CalamariFritti

Marks and Spencer's

Lidl is my favourite for every day items. Butcher, fish monger or green grocer for fresh stuff, but if they're closed or not convenient I will go to Supervalue for it. Tesco for the odd thing that only Tesco has like the more exotic sauces and condiments etc.

Alun

Lidl

Aldi for 99% of my shopping, and Tesco for the minute number of things I can't get in Aldi.

fryup

Marks and Spencer's

Supervalu

because its clean, local and convenient

* i don't work for them

Alun

Lidl

coal_merchant wrote: »

lidl for me offers the best balance of price , quality and variety

aldi is by far the cheapest but has a lot less choice and quality

That puzzles me ... I used to shop at Lidl, long before Aldi arrive locally to me, and I think I can fairly safely say that, apart from the occasional specials, the selection in Lidl has barely changed in the last 5 years. Aldi, on the other hand, are always bringing in new products, and have a lot more staples than Lidl do.

Tilikum

Alun wrote: »

That puzzles me ... I used to shop at Lidl, long before Aldi arrive locally to me, and I think I can fairly safely say that, apart from the occasional specials, the selection in Lidl has barely changed in the last 5 years. Aldi, on the other hand, are always bringing in new products, and have a lot more staples than Lidl do.

I've been doing the weekly shop for the past few months at Aldi. The amount of plastic packaging is really turning me off it. I eat a lot of fruit and it all non recyclable plastic.

Need to go some place else.

7 Seconds...

SuperValu

My favorites are Tesco, Lidl & Dunnes Stores in that order. The main shop is done in Tesco (the clubcard points come in very handy for phone credit) extra bits then got in Lidl's. I'll shop in Dunnes now & again for groceries, but I much prefer the other two.

harr

Lidl

Aldi for me....was tesco till money started to get tight so switched over to aldi and was surprised at the variety...aldi fresh products can be hit or miss some weeks and long dates are sometimes hard to come by.
Tesco on line if I am in a hurry or won’t be around on a Saturday to do the big shop..generally same shop in tesco is about 30-40 quid dearer.
SuperValu near me is dire ...very poor quality and always low on essential stuff and by far the dearest as well.. fresh meat in SV probably the only redeeming thing about them...
Always surprised by how different some SuperValus can be...

LordSutch

Dunnes Stores

Und maen Got, ze Germans are winning :eek:

snowflaker

SuperValu

Lidl. Its close by, its excellent value, like their products, staff friendly and hard working.

Quackster

harr wrote: »

generally same shop in tesco is about 30-40 quid dearer.

I hear this a lot and it somewhat baffles me. I tend to shop between all the big five supermarkets as they are all pretty convenient to me. I would shop more in Dunnes then the others by virtue of their shop & save vouchers but I find little/no difference in price on the vast majority of COMPARABLE items across four of the supermarkets (SuperValu is more expensive). My suspicion is that those saving money in Aldi/Lidl bought more branded produce when they shopped in Tesco and Dunnes.

BTW OP, Eurospar should be on the list too as it's a proper supermarket (not dissimilar to SuperValu), albeit one with a limited footprint.

harr

Lidl

Quackster wrote: »

I hear this a lot and it somewhat baffles me. I tend to shop between all the big five supermarkets as they are all pretty convenient to me. I would shop more in Dunnes then the others by virtue of their shop & save vouchers but I find little/no difference in price on the vast majority of COMPARABLE items across four of the supermarkets (SuperValu is more expensive). My suspicion is that those saving money in Aldi/Lidl bought more branded produce when they shopped in Tesco and Dunnes.

BTW OP, Eurospar should be on the list too as it's a proper supermarket (not dissimilar to SuperValu), albeit one with a limited footprint.

Yes
Definitely would have bought more branded stuff in tesco...but I definitely find the aldi products better quality than say Tesco’s own brand stuff..
By shopping in aldi it stops me buying the branded stuff...

snowflaker

SuperValu

Branded stuff is 99% marketing- Lidl do sell some branded products also

noaddedsugar

Quackster wrote: »

I hear this a lot and it somewhat baffles me. I tend to shop between all the big five supermarkets as they are all pretty convenient to me. I would shop more in Dunnes then the others by virtue of their shop & save vouchers but I find little/no difference in price on the vast majority of COMPARABLE items across four of the supermarkets (SuperValu is more expensive). My suspicion is that those saving money in Aldi/Lidl bought more branded produce when they shopped in Tesco and Dunnes.

BTW OP, Eurospar should be on the list too as it's a proper supermarket (not dissimilar to SuperValu), albeit one with a limited footprint.

I think the same thing, I shop in tesco and I don't think I buy a single branded product, I grew up on own brand so branded products just seem like a waste of money to me. We used to shop on aldi before I copped how easy Tesco deliveries are and there is no price difference in my shop between the two.

Pac1Man

Not touching this poll until you explain your username OP.

etselbbuns

Dunnes Stores

I go to all of them depending on the offers. Not loyal at all.

However, Aldi & Lidl are consistently excellent for quality, value, taste of food etc. I do miss the Lidl/Aldi stuff from 10 years ago when they had continental meat cuts, more cheeses, olives and more european cuisine generally before they adapted their product range to traditional Irish stuff.

freshpopcorn

Dunnes Stores

I find all own brands can be very hit and miss. You can get a great run out of an own brand item and then it disappears and comes back back completely different!

sdanseo

Londis/Centra/Spar

Not Being Pedantic But wrote: »

Before Musgraves/ SuperValu took over Superquinn they did actually employ professional butchers and fishmongers.

However, my Mum recently asked a girl behind the fish counter in SuperValu as to what she would suggest (I think it was like Cod versus Hake) and the girl said 'I haven't a clue I can't stand fish'. Some professional fishmonger right?!

Local SuperValu to here is the single reason I ignore them all.

Superquinn was grand. Went in the odd time, got stuff, paid a bit of a premium for "perceived" quality. Then they ripped the shop apart, laid it out stupidly, did the whole jigsaw vinyl thing that all SV/Centra have now and makes the place look like a cheap bar toilet, and put up all the prices.

I have absolutely no idea why anyone in their right mind would shop there.

Generally use Tesco even though I'd prefer to keep an Irish company afloat. Might use Dunnes more if the local one wasn't in a shopping centre that takes 30 mins to get in or out of and if the staff didn't all make it very obvious that the dead animals on display in the deli counter are treated better than they are.

FizzleSticks

Dunnes Stores

This post has been deleted.

justfillmein

FizzleSticks wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

i'm the same, shop in lots of different stores. though it does do my head in that i can't just walk into one shop and get everything in one stop:(. i just like giving myself extra work when i'm already pushed for time:rolleyes:

tesco (for the branded items)
lidl (just for a few things. also i like all of the staff in my local. their chirpyness annoyed me at the start because i think i'm used to rushed till workers not even making eye contact, but i actually like going to lidl now because of this)
aldi (love aldi, try not too go too often because i come back with waaay too much from the sweets isle. i get a bit excited)
polo store (they do all their fruit & veg without packaging. also they have big bunch's of fresh herbs for the same price as the measly little thing that you get in tesco/lidl)
asian stores for spices, dates, chilli's, plantains....
polish warehouses are my new venture atm