'How would you describe Lidl? Is it “poor food for poor people”?' blog discussion

jeanmd

This is such an outdated view that came about when Netto's first came to the UK, unfortunately Lidl and Aldi is banded into the same bracket. I very rarely use the 'big four' nowadays my main shop is Lidl with an occasional Aldi. I cook from scratch and find everything I need there. Shopping is quicker, I spend less, don't get sucked into offers that I don't really need, the food is good quality especially the meat which really impresses my husband, the staff are friendly and all together a better shopping experience.

andygb

Prinzessilein wrote: »

I don't think I am alone in my dislike of the local Lidls - the place no longer seems to attract customers at all.


It's a shame really. My roots are German, and I have seen the really good Lidls over there.

We are buying less stuff in Lidl nowadays - olive oil, packet ham, water, butter and good value wine, however the quality of fresh goods has dropped off the cliff.
We have been to Lidl stores in Germany (near the Black Forest), and the quality, variety and price of the goods is superior to the UK. The fresh bakery items approach good bakery standards.

MoneyMate

Good quality food but limited selection, great pricing.

caringa

I have been shopping at Lidls for about 5 years and actually enjoy going there! I liken it to a large corner shop where everyone is friendly, both customers and staff. The latter always remember me and ask how I am and the customers are always happy to let someone go in front of them if they only have a few items. I have never experienced this in any of the larger supermarkets.

The food is of good quality and I prefer not to have too much choice - otherwise it takes hours to find what you want. More importantly, as I am on a fixed budget, I know that I am getting excellent value for money and not being conned into buying more than I actually need. My only concern is that if they get too popular, they might start increasing their prices!

Dizzy_Ditzy

I hate my local aldi with a passion. I generally only ever get two or three things when I have to go in there, and you can spend 15 minutes at the checkout. They'd do an awful lot better if they had a kiosk type set up or 10 items or less tills

Porcupine

Another plus point. I've heard that they're a lot less hassle for suppliers to deal with. There's one annual negotiation: the price is going to be keen, but once the supplier has done the deal they're left to get on with it.

Meanwhile the big supermarkets are forever messing their suppliers around, making them pay for stock that didn't sell, launching promotions which the supplier has to pay for, arbitrarily going back and renegotiating the contract on a whim, and so on. That means suppliers are always being squeezed from one direction or other.

Likewise, wages are comparatively high (for retail) but they do work their staff really hard.

Or that's what I understand anyway. Would be most interested to hear from anyone who does supply or work for them.

guido342

I lived in Germany for 6 years and shopped in both these stores, so I am very happy to shop in them in the UK (and in Spain on holiday). It's far from poor food, and it's available for all 'canny' shoppers, poor or not.

Percy1983

Personally I do most of the shopping in Aldi, as another poster mentioned, the lack of brands is a blessing as you can just walk around and grab what you want and know you are getting good value and quality and not comparing 5 brands of everything.

I am yet to try Lidl but do have a similar view and there is one not to far away so I may go and have a look.

Peter333

MSE_Paloma wrote: »

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "How would you describe Lidl? Is it really “poor food for poor people”?" Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

Poor food for poor people? :rotfl: Whoever SAID that? Where I come from (a very upper middle class village,) there is a large LIDL in the town several miles away, and most people I know shop there. It has been drawing the middle and upper classes for a while now.

It's very inexpensive, the quality of the food is excellent, and it's the best decision I made switching to them.

Anyone who says poor food for poor people hasn't got a CLUE what they're talking about! LIDL has the quality of M & S and Sainsbury's but with prices that are probably about half!

Ebe_Scrooge

At my local Lidl, where I shop regularly, I often notice two particular cars in the car park - a brand new Range Rover, and a Bentley. Obviously I notice them because they're not particularly common. Make of that what you will ( and no, they're not just parked there whilst the owners are shopping at Waitrose, they do actually shop in Lidl ! )