Asian Grocer vs Tesco

concrete_kid

I've long suspected that Tesco is ridiculously overpriced, however I don't drive so delivery was a big bonus. Recently I discovered an Asian grocer within walking distance, which seemed very good value for money.

Anyway today, after buying a big shop at the Asian place I did a little online price comparison, and was shocked at how much cheaper it was. The shop consisted of lots of fresh fruit, veg, herbs and fresh meat.

Total at Asian grocer £13
Comparative shop at Tesco £32

I just could not believe how a small family run business could be £19 cheaper, it just goes to show how the big supermarkets are massively ripping us off. Anway I just had to share, hope some people find this interesting.

dasophster

I agree and have had similar experiences. Asian grocers (and as we tend to have around here, Turkish ones) tend to have better prices and offers on 'ethnic' food than Tesco as well. Produce is much better quality too. Once a friend and I threw a big party and got some of the stuff from an English cash and carry (trade only; her BIL owned a shop) and some from an Asian cash and carry (trade mainly but also open to public), we really got ripped off hard in the English cash and carry and their prices were still much cheaper than Tesco etc xx

tescobabe69

Asian grocers are cheaper for many things, especially stuff bought by asians.
Many dont carry the same variety as a supermarket.
Check prices at all places that supply what you want to buy, it used to be called shopping.
Coke is cheaper in T's, bog rolls in Home Bargains, chicken breast and mutton - asian butcher. I wouldnt ask for pork though.

Edwardia

Well, I'd clarify don't ask for pork if Muslim, don't ask for beef if Hindu.

chesky369

I've been wondering for simply ages why we were constantly told that, because supermarkets were able to buy in such huge quantities, they were so much more efficient and could therefore pass on the savings to us, the customers. It's absolute rubbish of course. I agree that the small, corner shops which open late into the evening, charge more. But proper butchers, bakers, markets and ethnic shops (from Chinese to Moroccan to Thai to Turkish), ALL charge less. We've all been conned again.

Edwardia

Agree with chesky369 ! There used to be a South African shop right by London Charing Cross and OH would buy toothpaste in there imported from RSA, which was cheaper than price we could buy it in Sainsbury's !

dasophster

Actually coke is sometimes cheaper in the Asian and Turkish big cash and carry places; they have cases of 24 for as little as £5.99 sometimes; (and yes often they are marked as being made in the UK, not foreign imports) not quite sure how they do it. I don't know if its a London think but noticed Tesco have started making what they perceive to be stereotypical Asian staples; i.e. sunflower oil and rice, with their own branding on but writing in several Asian languages, the cheeky gits. They even do a 'Pakistani rice' and an 'Indian rice' LOL. I have always found such things cheaper in Asian shops anyway xx

dasophster

Edwardia wrote: »

Well, I'd clarify don't ask for pork if Muslim, don't ask for beef if Hindu.

Most hindus don't eat meat at all and if they do they don't like to admit it; so I have never seen a hindu food shop with a meat counter. My local turkish supermarket; majority of their customers are non-Muslim folk as the meat is very fresh yet incredibly cheap and they will do anything to do, i.e. special cuts etc; that you like xx

kittendothroar

I don't have any little grocers where I live unfortunately but when am over at my dads there are loads in walking distance so stock up then!

Other than that I use the market now, last weeks fruit and veg came to £5.50, and in supermarket reckon would have been easily over £10 for equivalent!

minxie

We have a large Indian shop round here, and it is fabulous, you can get twice minced lamb for keema naan etc 300gms for £1.98, loads of herbs and spices in big packs for under a pound. Big bags of nuts etc, I spend ages in there having a look at all the unusual products, and it smells great in there to