Guest guest59652 Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 A point about peoples thoughts on supermarkets. I have in the last couple of years shopped inter changeably at Woolies, Coles and Foodland in SA. WHat do people prefer and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleW Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 No real preference for any of them as we do the majority of our shopping at the butchers and fresh food markets. When we need items from the supermarket it will usually be where ever it is on sale or whatever store is the closest. This it much the same as we did in the UK as we were not that impressed with the quality of fruit and veg in UK supermarkets so got in the habit of shopping at markets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 They're pretty crap really. Like Michelle, doing majority of fruit/veg and meat shopping at greengrocers and butchers respectively, as much as possible of the other stuff from aldi, and anything else from 'other' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3FatCats Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Harris Farm Markets for all my fresh stuff, local butchers up the road for meat, fish depends where I am and Aldi for everything else. Hardly ever go in a Coles or Woolies. Sometimes Big W or Kmart for special offers on toilettries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesnparry Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Is it also cheaper to shop that way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SandP Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 They are all much or a muchness. Coles slightly cheaper than Woolies a bit like Tesco v Sainsbury. I tend to favour Aldi for basics, popping Coles or Woolies for actual brand stuff that the kids like and Big W/Kmart/Priceline for toilettries. We have a Costco now in ACT so may have to try there for some items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quote Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I shop at Aldi for the generic basics then either Woolworths or Coles or whatever market I happen to be going to at the weekend. Usually the Farmers Market in Richmond as that is the closest to where I live. I usually go to Coles as it's the closest supermarket, however, I absolutely abhor shopping there purely for the terrible layout. I know supermarkets attempt to hide stuff to get to you walk around the place as much as possible in an attempt to dupe you into buying more. But the layout of Coles must have been designed by absolute a-holes. For example; kitchen accessories (such as utensils, pans, cutlery & plates) are spread out over about 4 different isles next to random foods they have no association with. It absolutely infuriates me to the point where I’ll often just leave the shop and go elsewhere. Grrrrrrrrr getting mad just thinking about it now! :arghh: The layout in Woolworths seems a lot more intuitive. And I do miss Tesco! Bring Tesco to Oz!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Frankly, this can all vary from store to store too. We tend to use Woolworths locally but that's down to a mix of a more convenient car park and some friendly staff inside. However, neither of those necessarily apply to other branches--it just works out that the Coles car park (shared with a Kmart) tends to be crowded and badly laid out. I would second the though of going to a fruit and veg specialist though. We have one near us (more or less on the way to Woolies anyway). Their prices are pretty similar to the supermarket but all the stuff there comes from local farmers and is incredibly fresh--the guy who runs the place can often tell us exactly where and when something was picked! Add in the fact that he's also a nice guy with a habit of throwing extra things into our basket for free and we're onto a winner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 ALDI ALDI ALDI and its cheap in Oz too !! Oh and the markets for fresh meat and veggies :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boganbear Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I shop at Coles because it is nearer. Our nearest Woolies is only a bit further away but it always looks dirty so I don't shop there. Pricewise, Coles and Woolies are identical in most things. I had to go to woolies last week and checked the price of the main things I buy. Only a few things differed. Some were more expensive, some cheaper. I do sometimes go to the fruit n veg shop but only if I can be bothered and walk past it. Some weeks they are mroe expensive, others cheaper. I find that prices between different Coles stores varies greatly. The one in Altona a few miles away is noticeably more expensive than Williamstown. The quality and price of fruit and veg in particular can vary greatly week by week as well and I am now fed up of complaining about how many ordinary things are simply not on the shelves whenever I go (morning/evenings/weekends). I wish Tesco would open up here. They would wipe Coles and Woolies off the map very quickly. More choice, bigger stores, cheaper prices, better service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I wish Tesco would open up here. They would wipe Coles and Woolies off the map very quickly. More choice, bigger stores, cheaper prices, better service. All, more than likely, due to economies of scale. I doubt every much that they would offer the same amount of lines at similar prices to the UK if they set up here. Aldi proves a point. They may be cheaper than Coles and Woolies (marginally) but their Oz prices are way higher than their UK prices and the "weekly basket of savings" that they quote invariably contains stuff that the average punter buys once a month or less. price comparison to UK eg 450 gm pork sausage in UK is currently 65p ($1) Aldi Australia price $3.49.............eggs (15) 125pence or $2, in Oz 12 for $2.55 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 All, more than likely, due to economies of scale. I doubt every much that they would offer the same amount of lines at similar prices to the UK if they set up here. Aldi proves a point. They may be cheaper than Coles and Woolies (marginally) but their Oz prices are way higher than their UK prices and the "weekly basket of savings" that they quote invariably contains stuff that the average punter buys once a month or less. price comparison to UK eg 450 gm pork sausage in UK is currently 65p ($1) Aldi Australia price $3.49.............eggs (15) 125pence or $2, in Oz 12 for $2.55 that is incredible! 65p!?!:wubclub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Please don't bring Tesco here. I hated Tesco with a passion. Yes, they were cheap--but they managed to get their prices down by using their market position to force farmers to sell for uneconomic rates (or by importing cheap stuff from the 3rd world), by paying their staff minimum wage (ensuring they only had useless teenagers), by employing mainly 16 year olds so they could pay the lowest minimum wage and by being generally unpleasant. I'd rather pay more knowing the staff and suppliers are treated properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty81 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I only have the option of a small Coles or small Woolies. Personally I prefer Coles but their fruit / veg is a disaster so Woolies for them. Butcher (or local farmer) for meat. Not necessarily cheaper (well farmer is) but quality is miles better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 that is incredible! 65p!?!:wubclub: Yep, first time I've ever felt like going back :unsure: http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/product_range/4862.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Yep, first time I've ever felt like going back :unsure: http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/product_range/4862.htm thanks for that, interesting prices: Freemans Bay New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc £5. 49 each Unsmoked Streaky Bacon 99p 225g Back Bacon £1. 09 per pack Choc Chip Cookies 40p per pack such prices can only be dreamed of here....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 thanks for that, interesting prices: Freemans Bay New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc £5. 49 each Unsmoked Streaky Bacon 99p 225g Back Bacon £1. 09 per pack Choc Chip Cookies 40p per pack such prices can only be dreamed of here....... Our wages and economy can only be dreamed of back there :tongue: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Our wages and economy can only be dreamed of back there :tongue: true.....................BUT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pintpot Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Not sure I'd touch 65p/lb sausages with a bargepole..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pintpot Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Please don't bring Tesco here. I hated Tesco with a passion. Yes, they were cheap--but they managed to get their prices down by using their market position to force farmers to sell for uneconomic rates (or by importing cheap stuff from the 3rd world), by paying their staff minimum wage (ensuring they only had useless teenagers), by employing mainly 16 year olds so they could pay the lowest minimum wage and by being generally unpleasant. I'd rather pay more knowing the staff and suppliers are treated properly. Inclined to agree. Supermarket price wars in the UK have come at the expense of a lot of collateral damage. The Aussie groceries market seems to me to promote (because that stuff is cheaper) fresh produce over processed, manufactured, packaged stuff. Which is probably a good thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Not sure I'd touch 65p/lb sausages with a bargepole..... Aw come on! Come on! Everyone knows Tescos is wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairystar32 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 We shop at the Organic butchers and food connect for all our meat, fruit/veg,eggs etc... We then use Aldi for other stuff and woolies or coles lastly, for anything else we havent managed to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest59652 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Great posts - I like the standards of all 3 to be honest. Farmers market fruit and veg deffo really good - more flavour and so good knowing its not been long out of the ground! A lot of posts re tesco. Tesco i reckon are too good sometimes and have had a bad effect on small shop holders. The supermarkets exist here with butchers and small shops in the near vicinity - something that does not happen with supermarkets in the uk. You have the big car park and the supermarket is very much on its own. Interesting points as this is something most people do most days - and chopping, changing and using small business' seems to be a common trend emerging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Good point. The cheap supermarket are great for staple groceries , dried goods, tins and cheap Vodka if your having a party etc.. I get all my cleaning products there much cheaper than other places but the fresh meat and soft veggies are sometimes a bit questionalble. If there is a farmers market or local butcher its always worth going there and stocking the freezer up. Not sure I'd touch 65p/lb sausages with a bargepole..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest17301 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Ive done a lot of shopping around and I now actually find Coles reasonable for everything except fruit and veg which can be double the prices in markets. Always specials on lots of grocery items. Some things like bread and cakes I prefer Woolies for but overall I think Coles is better. IGA is really expensive for most stuff but very convienient. If I have the time I go to different places for different things but as working Mum, time is a luxury I dont have much of! I do miss tesco...could spend hours in there....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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