Must-Read for International Students! A Guide to Shopping at UK Supermarkets! | UP-STUDY Educational Center

Today, let’s take a look at the types of supermarkets in the UK, their unique products, and how to shop in a way that can save some money for your study abroad life.

Honestly speaking, there are many supermarket brands in the UK, and even within the same brand, there are different sizes. The most common distinction is Extra > Metro > Express > Local. For students who buy groceries once or twice a week, the size of Metro is more appropriate, while Express and Local are more like convenience stores in Taiwan, and their prices tend to be less economical.

Some supermarkets offer their own private label products, which are usually cheaper. You can also buy reduced items or participate in membership point programs to get discounts. These are all good ways to save money!

This article will introduce some common supermarket brands for international students to reference.

1. Tesco 

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/

Tesco is the largest chain supermarket in the UK and can be found everywhere. The store sizes are in the following order: Tesco Extra > Super Store > Metro > Express. Metro and Express are usually located in convenient city centers. The overall prices are moderate, but meat tends to be more expensive. Many of the store's private label products are also quite good.

#Online Shopping Delivery Service: Yes

#Tesco Recommendations: Potato chips in the chilled section, sweet potato fries, Nestlé 3-in-1 instant coffee (which tastes different from the ones in Taiwan), microwaveable lasagna, chocolate muffins.

2. Sainsbury’s

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/

Sainsbury’s is a well-established supermarket chain in the UK. The prices are slightly higher than those of Tesco and ASDA. The quality and price of the meat are quite good, and their private label Taste the Difference series offers great value for money.

#Online Shopping Delivery Service: Yes

3. Marks & Spencer

https://www.marksandspencer.com/

M&S is a well-known department store chain in the UK, catering to the middle class. Their supermarkets focus on luxury food items, and their private label products are of very high quality. It is often found in city centers, and although the prices are higher than regular supermarkets, the quality of food is noticeably different.

#Online Shopping Delivery Service: You can order online, but it must be picked up in physical stores.

# M&S Recommendations: Macarons from the dessert series, Spanish churros, tiramisu, cashews in different flavors, chocolate cookies, pistachio cookies.

4. Morrisons

https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/startWebshop.do

Morrisons is typically located in suburban areas. Their meat is sourced directly from farms, and sometimes they offer pig's trotters, pig's heart, pig's liver, pig's kidneys, pig's feet, pig's skin, ox tail, beef bones, lamb bones, etc. International students who miss Taiwanese food can come here to shop. The selection of vegetables is quite comprehensive and affordable, and sometimes Häagen-Dazs is only £2!

#Online Shopping Delivery Service: Yes

5. ASDA

https://www.asda.com/

ASDA is mostly found in suburban areas, with pricing comparable to Morrisons, but cheaper than Tesco and Sainsbury’s. It is an affordable supermarket with large stores that have a more warehouse-like arrangement. The product range is more complete, but the store layout is more like a warehouse.

#Online Shopping Delivery Service: Yes

6. Waitrose

https://www.waitrose.com/

Waitrose is a subsidiary of the renowned British department store John Lewis. It is a high-end supermarket known for its high-quality products, much like M&S.

#Online Shopping Delivery Service: Yes

# Waitrose Recommendations: Their own-brand coffee, tea, or wine.

7. CO-OP/ Co-operative

https://www.coop.co.uk/

CO-OP/ Co-operative is the fifth-largest supermarket in the UK. Its parent company spans various industries, and CO-OP also offers a membership card system and its own-brand foods.

#Online Shopping Delivery Service: Yes

8. LIDL and ALDI

https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/index.htm

https://www.aldi.co.uk/

LIDL and ALDI are German supermarket brands, and many people think the two are part of the same parent company due to their similar store layouts and designs. However, they are actually competitors. Both supermarkets are typically located in suburban areas, and their biggest feature is affordable fresh produce. The companies save on many costs and pass the savings onto consumers. Therefore, their products are much cheaper than other supermarkets, but they have more own-brand products, and you might not find some major brand-name products.

#Online Shopping Delivery Service: Both only deliver household items.

*Other small supermarkets, daily necessities stores, and drugstores

1. Iceland

Iceland mainly sells frozen foods, with many delicious frozen pizzas, fries, fried chicken, fish fingers, frozen seafood, and vegetables. Occasionally, there are super cheap Häagen-Dazs (2.5 pounds), and meat is usually cheaper than Tesco Metro. My favorite is the colorful Lays, which only costs 17 TWD per pack!

#Online shopping delivery service: Yes

2. Poundland

https://www.poundland.co.uk/

Poundland is a must-know for international students! Most items are 1 pound, but you get what you pay for, and the quality is relatively low. It’s recommended to buy items that don't come into contact with the skin, such as umbrellas, stationery, toilet brushes, snacks, etc.

3. Boots

https://www.boots.com/

Boots is similar to Taiwan's Watsons and Cosmed, offering a wide range of products, with pharmacists available for consultations. Some of the larger stores even have dedicated cosmetics counters. Boots also has its own membership card, but I personally think the cash discount system is not very useful. Female students should especially note that thin cotton pads are not sold in the UK, so remember to bring them from Taiwan if needed.

4. Superdrug

https://www.superdrug.com/

Superdrug is quite similar to Boots and is the second-largest drugstore chain in the UK. It can be found in almost every city, and it’s owned by the same group as Watsons. Overall, it’s a comfortable shopping experience with some beauty brands that Boots doesn’t carry. You can also get discounts when paying with a student ID!

Above are some common supermarket brands in the UK. In general, almost every supermarket offers online shopping and delivery services. Tesco and Sainsbury's are more common, and in terms of prices, LIDL and ALDI are the most affordable. For meat prices, Sainsbury's and Iceland are the best options, and for vegetables, Morrisons is the most cost-effective. If you care about food quality, you can visit M&S and Waitrose. But overall, it really depends on personal preferences, and experiences may vary!