are they really discounters?

GEEGEE8

I also thought they were expensive, and didn't seem to have everything Tesco would have on the shelves.. also, I found the fruit and veg was poor quality..

Stompa

zorber wrote: »

As they are both German companies most of their buying team are based in Eurpoe. The buy most of their stock in euros. The £ has fallen against the euro hence why they appear not as cheap as they used too.

The difference in price between Aldi and Tesco (say) used to be quite significant. Over the last couple of years or so though that difference has been eroded. I still think Aldi is somewhat cheaper though, and the quality (of both products and service) is definitely better.

eleanor73

oki1875 wrote: »

Did you mean when they are on offer or 30%reduced when up to date?

When they are on offer so the price stays like that for a week. I don't like the 30% thing in Lidl. I just wish they could reduce (bargain bin) stuff like other supermarkets do as sometimes the prices aren't near so you don't know what the 30% off is!

NEH

oki1875 wrote: »

Did you mean when they are on offer or 30%reduced when up to date?

Aldi's super six are very good value if you want what the 6 is but we tend to find things cheaper overall in Lidl...

justjoda

I don't think Aldi is at all cheap, I think the opposite is true. I don't mind Lidl but only for certain items.

Where I find I save money by shopping at aldi,Lidl or Netto is the restrictive choices, I don't buy nearly as many 'treats' in any of these stores (unless nettos have champagne on special offer!)

Chocmonster7

eleanor73 wrote: »

When they are on offer so the price stays like that for a week. I don't like the 30% thing in Lidl. I just wish they could reduce (bargain bin) stuff like other supermarkets do as sometimes the prices aren't near so you don't know what the 30% off is!

My local branch has started putting things in a bargain section but as you mention it's sometimes hard to find the price. The only good thing about Lidl's 30% off approach is that things I've bought have often had up to a week before the best before date is even reached.

As for the "discounters" tag I think this came about when Netto first arrived in the UK. Up until then the other supermarkets never really did big special offer deals so Netto looked very cheap in comparison. Aldi & Lidl then arrived and the likes of Morrisons/Tesco, etc had to do something.

MrsBartolozzi

I think if you are comparing the price of a Lidl jar of jam (for instance) it might seem expensive if you compare it with Tesco value, but most often the quality is higher than even the normal store brand so in that respect it's cheaper than the supermarket equivalent. Where they stock brand names - weetabix, Nescafe etc I do think these are at least as expensive as supermarkets, probably as they don't sell as many so don't have the bulk buying power.
I use lidl and Aldi for their fruit and veg offers and their continental meats and cheeses. They are much cheaper than the supermarkets for these.

torchie

I find that milk, eggs and cream are consistantly cheaper - not on 'special', just regular low price. Comments regarding fruit and veg I tend to agree with - I find Lidl's prices are often lower on many items but their produce does not last as long simply because most of it when out on the shop floor is "room temperature". Many other supermarkets have some of their F & V in chilled areas (M & S for example). If I buy Lidl's F & V, I make sure I can use it within 2-3 days. Some of Lidl's products have been 'awarded' by Good Housekeeping and Which? and I have found most of those recommendations to be worthwhile - especially olive oil and dishwasher tablets. You just need to shop around - sadly no one shop can tick all the boxes.