Tesco Declare War on er Lidl and Aldi

mike65

Good to see that a bit of competition is spuring on one of the big chains with a value range, of course we've been here before with the derided Yellow Pack range which apparently we were all 'too good for' back when we were poor.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2008/0725/1216917535029.html

Mike

dudara

How is this going to be different from the Tesco Value range (the blue, white and red) or are they just rebranding it in a flame of publicity?

Davidth88

It's ' spin ' I am afraid.... but of course it's welcome.

Jip

Not neccesarily just spin, apparently it's not just a rebrand but a repricing exercise too according to the article in the business section of the times.

snubbleste

I find Aldi and Lidl foods to be superior to similar priced products in Tesco & al. Hopefully the general public will continue to shop at the discounters for were it not for them, we'd be paying even more for groceries.

nicelives

snubbleste wrote: »

I find Aldi and Lidl foods to be superior to similar priced products in Tesco & al. Hopefully the general public will continue to shop at the discounters for were it not for them, we'd be paying even more for groceries.

I agree Snubbleste, Tesco have reduced product prices before but the quality is very inferior to the likes of Aldi for the same price. Tesco's value range of ready meals is nearly all sauce with only a couple of small pieces of meat where aldi's always has quite a generous portion.

Aldi's toilet tissue 9 pack is quite good quality whereas Tesco's equivalent is quite flimsy.

Maybe Tesco has a giant new product range but if as others have said they're just going to put together their 'value range', they're not even at the races.

bottletops

nicelives wrote: »

Aldi's toilet tissue 9 pack is quite good quality whereas Tesco's equivalent is quite flimsy.

Sounds like you've had a bad experience :P

anotherlostie

The article on the Irish Indepent site also states that 2000 product prices are being cut to reflect the disparity between Euro and Sterling prices at present, so it is hardly just spin.

Run_to_da_hills

Instead of having a price war between these companies why dosn't the management of these outlets just declare a real war, I.E employees and staff arm themselves with rotten eggs, flower, bottles, and what ever else they can find and battle it out between themselves, We just sit back and enjoy

TheDriver

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Instead of having a price war between these companies why dosn't the management of these outlets just declare a real war, I.E employees and staff arm themselves with rotten eggs, flower, bottles, and what ever else they can find and battle it out between themselves, We just sit back and enjoy

IMagine coming out with your out of date tesco value eggs battling Aldi cheap cider over the head, dramatic results i think!

foggy_lad

this is just more advertising waffle from tesco's as they are losing massively to lidl and aldi because people are trying the cheaper products of lidl and aldi and realising the huge difference in quality compared to similarly priced tesco items!

tesco value beans are like little fossilised rat droppings while you pay a few cent more in aldi for beans comparable in quality to heinz or other quality brands and these differences are across the whole range of products!

as for tesco and others cutting prices to reflect the disparity with sterling well they have had ample opportunity in the last 30 years to do this but have not showing they will do nothing unless it makes them a lot more than it makes us consumers! it is just more spin!

parsi

foggy_lad wrote: »

tesco value beans are like little fossilised rat droppings

How do you know ? Pics or it's not true !

foggy_lad

parsi wrote: »

How do you know ? Pics or it's not true !

you are right and i did not mean to suggest they make their value beans from fossillised rat turds but that is what they taste like - little hard pellets in a very watery sauce while the aldi or lidl beans costing a few cent more are very edible especially on toast!:pac::p

unklerosco

snubbleste wrote: »

I find Aldi and Lidl foods to be superior to similar priced products in Tesco & al.

Same here... Remember the days when I used to buy the Value cheese n tomato pizza... Was pointless cause u needed to buy cheese to put on it as they put bugger all on it. The lemonade was like sparkling water(only cheaper) and the Vodka, well... It was good for bleaching stuff.

eth0_

Tesco own brand food is revolting, even ALDI food tastes nicer, costs less and they actually know how to keep their shelves stocked!

snubbleste

Their 'new promotion range' is live on their site and the main image in their offers of the week slot is Tesco Premium 80 Tea Bags for €1.39
These teabags are normally €1.39!

They are just listing the normal goods they sell and saying they cost the same in Tesco as in Aldi & Lidl.

So far, very disappointing.

Run_to_da_hills

snubbleste wrote: »

Their 'new promotion range' is live on their site and the main image in their offers of the week slot is Tesco Premium 80 Tea Bags for €1.39
These teabags are normally €1.39!

They are just listing the normal goods they sell and saying they cost the same in Tesco as in Aldi & Lidl.

So far, very disappointing.

I don't understand how anyone could cheap scate on a brew, Its either Lyons or Barrys or else nothing.

jahalpin

foggy_lad wrote: »

as for tesco and others cutting prices to reflect the disparity with sterling well they have had ample opportunity in the last 30 years to do this but have not showing they will do nothing unless it makes them a lot more than it makes us consumers! it is just more spin!

Tesco only opened in ROI around 12 years ago and strerling was fairly strong during this period.

The sterling difference is due to the fact that £1 sterling is actually worth more than €1 in the international currency market.

You, and a lot of others, seem to think that if an item is marked as £1 it should be sold for €1, which is madness.

Aldi and Lidl are able to offer cheaper food as they buy unknown brands and save money by spending as little as possible on their shops. Their shops are horrible, grubby places, whereas, Tesco stores are ,usually, clean and a pleasure to shop at. Aldi and Lidl are also not exposed to foreign currency risk as they buy and sell their goods in the same currency , the Euro, and remit the profits to their parent in the Euro as well

msg11

Working in tesco myself, and I have to say that I am impressed, with the roll out of the plan. And it is as I though, the customers will still shop where ever.

The only difference I see between aldi/lidl & tesco is the fact, that tesco actully give a phek about the condition of there shops. They are clean and tidy, and I would say the checkouts would be quick.

Lidls stores are like warzones in the afternoons from what I have seen, panagrams don't seem to matter in these stores either, little selection compared to dunnes/tesco, lighting is very poor. And a lack of atmosphere compared to tesco/dunnes.

As for the value range comments/lidls range of products. All I can say is you get what you pay for. Don't expect something that is 20c too be any where near the 1.20c in terms of quality.

As for selves not been packed in tesco, ask someone too get it for you, or go too another store, where the selves are packed.

I think people need to understand too that there are bigger running costs with tesco than aldi/lidl.

At the end of the day, Your not doing our Ireland favors shopping in company's which bank accounts resite outside Ireland.

And too finish up, you get what you pay for. Getting quality products for that little bit extra, is not really going to hurt your pocket when we are talking in cents.

Was also reading that the goverment want another supermarket to open up shop in Ireland, which I think is madness.

snubbleste

jahalpin wrote: »

Tesco only opened in ROI around 12 years ago and strerling was fairly strong during this period.

The sterling difference is due to the fact that £1 sterling is actually worth more than €1 in the international currency market. You, and a lot of others, seem to think that if an item is marked as £1 it should be sold for €1, which is madness.

July 2007 €1= £1.50
July 2008 €1= £1.26
Considering we import a substanial number of grocery products from the UK, prices have not come down to reflect this significant currency movement.

jahalpin wrote: »

Aldi and Lidl are able to offer cheaper food as they buy unknown brands and save money by spending as little as possible on their shops. Their shops are horrible, grubby places, whereas, Tesco stores are ,usually, clean and a pleasure to shop at. Aldi and Lidl are also not exposed to foreign currency risk as they buy and sell their goods in the same currency , the Euro, and remit the profits to their parent in the Euro as well.

They are bringing new brands to the market that consumers have tried and adopted. Their shops are clean, cheerful, music-free, but most importantly they have a superior quality product at an equal or lesser price than the competitor.

Blackjack

jahalpin wrote: »

Tesco only opened in ROI around 12 years ago and strerling was fairly strong during this period.

The sterling difference is due to the fact that £1 sterling is actually worth more than €1 in the international currency market.

You, and a lot of others, seem to think that if an item is marked as £1 it should be sold for €1, which is madness.

Aldi and Lidl are able to offer cheaper food as they buy unknown brands and save money by spending as little as possible on their shops. Their shops are horrible, grubby places, whereas, Tesco stores are ,usually, clean and a pleasure to shop at. Aldi and Lidl are also not exposed to foreign currency risk as they buy and sell their goods in the same currency , the Euro, and remit the profits to their parent in the Euro as well

Eh, I think if you check the price tags that various places have where prices are quoted in Euro and Sterling, I think you'll see what people are talking about. Generally, is 1.5 or more Euro against sterling, while the market has been offering closer to 1.25-130 for some time now. You'll often see items priced at £4 sterling and 6 euros or more on the same tag - that's simply ripping people off.

As regards Tesco's exposure to currency, what about the local produce here?. At the end of the day, I couldn't give a rats about Tescos currency exposure, I'm more concerned about my own. Further, if it was really a problem, then they'd hedge their currency exposure. They surely haven't had any problem in charging more euros for the same products than the UK for some time now.

Musha

msg11 wrote: »

Working in tesco myself, and I have to say that I am impressed, with the roll out of the plan. And it is as I though, the customers will still shop where ever.

The only difference I see between aldi/lidl & tesco is the fact, that tesco actully give a phek about the condition of there shops. They are clean and tidy, and I would say the checkouts would be quick.

Lidls stores are like warzones in the afternoons from what I have seen, panagrams don't seem to matter in these stores either, little selection compared to dunnes/tesco, lighting is very poor. And a lack of atmosphere compared to tesco/dunnes.

As for the value range comments/lidls range of products. All I can say is you get what you pay for. Don't expect something that is 20c too be any where near the 1.20c in terms of quality.

As for selves not been packed in tesco, ask someone too get it for you, or go too another store, where the selves are packed.

I think people need to understand too that there are bigger running costs with tesco than aldi/lidl.

At the end of the day, Your not doing our Ireland favors shopping in company's which bank accounts resite outside Ireland.

And too finish up, you get what you pay for. Getting quality products for that little bit extra, is not really going to hurt your pocket when we are talking in cents.

Was also reading that the goverment want another supermarket to open up shop in Ireland, which I think is madness.

The tale of two shops, Both Roxobro Limerick.
Aldi, New Clean, Well stocked, Fresh Produce, Cheap, Pleasant Staff
Tesco, Old, Dirty, Out of date stock, Lack of Stock, Rotten Veg section, Unintrested Staff, Expensive.

I don't shop to listen to music or to spend my Saturday afternoon In/Out get it done shop for the week, Its not our fault the Tesco have higher running costs, and the quality of Aldi product are superior to Tesco and all that few extra cents that you mention :mad: Full weeks shopping in Aldi approx €120 Full weeks Shopping in Tesco €170 thats €2500 a year that I would rather have in my pocket.

Adli = Germany
Tesco = England.
I know where I would rather shop

Blackjack

msg11 wrote: »

lighting is very poor. And a lack of atmosphere compared to tesco/dunnes.

I'm personally bothered by lighting effects or atmosphere when buying my groceries.

msg11 wrote: »

I think people need to understand too that there are bigger running costs with tesco than aldi/lidl.

Which I suppose when you have additional lighting and piped music the punter should be expected to pay for this?. People are clearly realising this and moving to where they can get better value for their money.

msg11 wrote: »

At the end of the day, Your not doing our Ireland favors shopping in company's which bank accounts resite outside Ireland.

Last I checked, Tesco were a UK Company operating in Ireland, and are listed on the London Stock exchange.

msg11 wrote: »

Was also reading that the goverment want another supermarket to open up shop in Ireland, which I think is madness.

Yes, competition is bad for the comsumer.

msg11

Blackjack wrote: »

I'm personally bothered by lighting effects or atmosphere when buying my groceries.



Which I suppose when you have additional lighting and piped music the punter should be expected to pay for this?. People are clearly realising this and moving to where they can get better value for their money.



Last I checked, Tesco were a UK Company operating in Ireland, and are listed on the London Stock exchange.



Yes, competition is bad for the comsumer.

It is bad if the market is flooded with companys, its bad news for employees of these settled companys.

Hear, I think a few people here are getting the idea, i'm telling you too go to tesco or something. I couldn't give a **** where ye shop. Above is my personal option, I feel tesco do more for there customer. I oddly notice you don't seem to care either about layouts or having some sort of format.

Yeah, and I know where I rather shop, dunnes.

Lets face it tesco is there when ever you need it, and usually has everything under one roof.

Also, them few cents keep your body in check so remember that. Personally I pay for real food, that keeps me in check, is full of good stuff and less of the bad fats or beef up too the nines with water and additives.

Musha, 2500 euro?? I think your over dramatising that totally, you could save more money if you wanted by growing your own stuff too, plus its organic.

Blackjack

msg11 wrote: »

Working in tesco myself,

Perhaps it's this bit here that makes me think your opinions are slightly biased.

Big_Mac

msg11 wrote: »

The only difference I see between aldi/lidl & tesco is the fact, that tesco actully give a phek about the condition of there shops. They are clean and tidy, and I would say the checkouts would be quick.

Really? Do they? Clearly you haven't frequented the Tesco's in sligo then

msg11 wrote: »

Lidls stores are like warzones in the afternoons from what I have seen, panagrams don't seem to matter in these stores either, little selection compared to dunnes/tesco, lighting is very poor. And a lack of atmosphere compared to tesco/dunnes.

Indeed, because lighting and ambience is the reall clincher for me when deciding where to shop

msg11 wrote: »

As for the value range comments/lidls range of products. All I can say is you get what you pay for. Don't expect something that is 20c too be any where near the 1.20c in terms of quality.

Quoted for Truth. Indeed you do. Hmmm, chicken in Tesco's vs chicken in Lidl.... Obviously the more expensive one in Tesco's is of superior quality because..... its erm.... A chicken! oh no wait..... its of lesser quality...(It's a chicken) oh wait.... its erm.... umm.... made from.... (chicken?) FFS its all the same. Sure there is some stuff in Lidl I wouldn't touch, but same goes for every shop everywhere.

msg11 wrote: »

As for selves not been packed in tesco, ask someone too get it for you, or go too another store, where the selves are packed.

Perfect logic, when there's only one Tesco's within a 35 (ish) mile radius

msg11 wrote: »

I think people need to understand too that there are bigger running costs with tesco than aldi/lidl.

That's Tesco's problem, not the consumers

msg11 wrote: »

At the end of the day, Your not doing our Ireland favors shopping in company's which bank accounts resite outside Ireland.

So putting spending extra money unnecessarily to line the bank accounts of local people as opposed to sending profits to international people who have cheaper products is ok? hmmm, can't really see how that benefits me...

msg11 wrote: »

And too finish up, you get what you pay for. Getting quality products for that little bit extra, is not really going to hurt your pocket when we are talking in cents.

Indeed, but the better quality products are not always in Tesco's and are not always more expensive than the cheaper ones.

msg11 wrote: »

Was also reading that the goverment want another supermarket to open up shop in Ireland, which I think is madness.

Why, so we may benefit from a more competetive market? Tell you what, lets bring back the Grocery order.

Sorry, but I really can imagine sayin to the missus 'I think we'll shop in tescos today because of their ample lighting and subtle tones along with their upbeat and cheerfuk music. Also their effective use of clever marketing in the layout means that we might buy something that we don't need. Yes it costs more than Lidl or Aldi, and we may not have to stand at a checkout a little longer but I think its really worth it for a pleasurable experience that can be achieved by shopping in these establishments.' - Yeah, as if.

Shelflife

A couple of points here some which amuse me some which worry me,

1. a poster made the point that aldi beans are edible not that they are nice but edible.

2. the shelves in aldi are stacked, they dont have shelves just spaces where pallets go

3. the staff are nice --- what staff?

the worrying thing is how people cant see that a business that employs very few people and imports all of their products and repatriates all of their profits can be good for the country in the long run.

Blackjack

Shelflife wrote: »

2. the shelves in aldi are stacked, they dont have shelves just spaces where pallets go

Your point, caller?. What difference would that make (if it were true)?.

Shelflife wrote: »

the worrying thing is how people cant see that a business that employs very few people and imports all of their products and repatriates all of their profits can be good for the country in the long run.

Eh, last I checked, Tesco repatriate all their profits to the UK, and pay them as a dividend, in Sterling.

If people are spending less on their groceries and getting perhaps - shock horror- value for money - then they're likely to spend the difference elsewhere, or paying the difference in the increased interest rate on their mortgage.
Prices are rising for pretty much everything - food, Oil, Gas, Petrol, and increasing interest rates are meaning people have to pay higher mortgage payments.

Perhaps people should still shop in Tesco, and perhaps allow the banks to foreclose?.

Unfortunately people in this country seem to have lost the value of money - the Economic boom means that we spent more and did not care what we paid for, and scorned Mary Harney (who I've little time for) when she said people should shop around, yet whined while getting ripped off.

Now people are shopping round, and Tesco seem to be reacting to this.

How can it be a bad thing, when there's now competition, and a basket of the same products, all own brand are 50% cheaper in Lidl's than in either Dunnes or Tesco?.

Shame we're only now waking up to this.

JohnC.

Shelflife wrote: »

the worrying thing is how people cant see that a business that employs very few people and imports all of their products and repatriates all of their profits can be good for the country in the long run.

I see lots of Irish products in Aldi and a just reminder that Tesco also isn't an Irish company.

mike65

I feel all awkward in the lidl queue cos there is no distracting music...so I'll shop at Tescos then.

NOT

Sod the ambience, Lidl (and I presume Aldi) shops are all look the same, everything in them is the same and cheaper than the rest.

As for the value range comments/lidls range of products. All I can say is you get what you pay for. Don't expect something that is 20c too be any where near the 1.20c in terms of quality.

Well I doubt anything is one-fifth/one sixth the price so thats a loaded point all I know is that Bixies cos 4 euro for a 72 pack they are exactly the same as Weetabix, the same number of which will cost about 6.50 I think. Ditto many other lines such as baked beans, all fruit and veg, sausages, burgers, buscuits etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/mike65/lidl.jpg

True they could open more checkouts sometimes but that is true of most supermarkets.

Mike

Shelflife

kahless
im not defending tesco as they are parasites too, there are very few irish products in aldi their meat comes from the north as does their milk.

Sponge Bob

Shelflife wrote: »

the worrying thing is how people cant see that a business that employs very few people and imports all of their products and repatriates all of their profits can be good for the country in the long run.

That's precisely why I don't shop in Tesco :cool:

brianthebard

Shelflife wrote: »

kahless
im not defending tesco as they are parasites too, there are very few irish products in aldi their meat comes from the north as does their milk.

Again tesco is little better,plus they don't pay irish farmers enough.Can we just agree that supermarkets suck balls pls?

foggy_lad

jahalpin wrote: »

Tesco only opened in ROI around 12 years ago and strerling was fairly strong during this period.

The sterling difference is due to the fact that £1 sterling is actually worth more than €1 in the international currency market.

You, and a lot of others, seem to think that if an item is marked as £1 it should be sold for €1, which is madness.

Aldi and Lidl are able to offer cheaper food as they buy unknown brands and save money by spending as little as possible on their shops. Their shops are horrible, grubby places, whereas, Tesco stores are ,usually, clean and a pleasure to shop at. Aldi and Lidl are also not exposed to foreign currency risk as they buy and sell their goods in the same currency , the Euro, and remit the profits to their parent in the Euro as well

when have i said anyone should get €1 for £1??
i have said as others have that english chain stores have for as long as they have been in ireland been adding a premium to their sterling prices when exchange rates are considered. so if something should be say €50 these stores have been adding what you might call a "pale" tax of anything up to 25% and sometimes more so the thick paddys will have to pay €75 or more.

i have never been in any aldi or lidl store which was anything except what i would call medically clean! i do not know how or where you are getting the idea they are grubby? i have been in plenty of the busier tesco's where you would expect high standards only to find the floor a death trap and filthy as nobody wants to work the mop!

Big_Mac

I think its a given that the staff in Lidl are not the nicest people in the world. but really, who cares? I don't and I'm certainly not going to be shopping somewhere else because a checkout lady (or guy) doesn't have a smile or make small talk. As for Cleanliness. I have yet to see when Tesco's in Sligo looks Cleaner than Lidl. Its feckin spotless......

msg11

Big_Mac wrote: »

Really? Do they? Clearly you haven't frequented the Tesco's in sligo then

Well then take it up with the management of the store, people shop people, make a mess, its life. If you want to go a tidy store to shop in, I suggest you go too any store in the morning time. But that's up too you.

Indeed, because lighting and ambience is the reall clincher for me when deciding where to shop

Well that's you personal option it, my personal option is I rather shop in any shop that is not like a sweat box, and looks like something from the thrid world. I rather not have to stack the shelfs in lidl/aldi for them and do them favors by taking there cardboard home. Some space at the end of the till, q's not up the isles. If I want one thing in tesco, bottle of coke. Its two mins at the self scan then your out.

If you don't buy anything in tesco/dunnes, you don't have to walk threw the tills to get out. In lidl/aldi you do.

Quoted for Truth. Indeed you do. Hmmm, chicken in Tesco's vs chicken in Lidl.... Obviously the more expensive one in Tesco's is of superior quality because..... its erm.... A chicken! oh no wait..... its of lesser quality...(It's a chicken) oh wait.... its erm.... umm.... made from.... (chicken?) FFS its all the same. Sure there is some stuff in Lidl I wouldn't touch, but same goes for every shop everywhere.

I think you find that any type of chicken/beef that is "value" is just pumped up with water. I totally disagree, as far as I am aware there is differences in the prices for a reason. But then again that's your option v's mine. I also doubt every single store in Ireland all get the exact same chicken for each and every store.


Perfect logic, when there's only one Tesco's within a 35 (ish) mile radius

As I said, up too you but morning time would be your best bet in any store.

That's Tesco's problem, not the consumers

True it is Tesco's problem, but consumers don't get why prices in any company are so high.

So putting spending extra money unnecessarily to line the bank accounts of local people as opposed to sending profits to international people who have cheaper products is ok? hmmm, can't really see how that benefits me...

Not directly, but it will better the Irish economy, also that's a terrible selfish attitude to have towards your own Irish people.

Why, so we may benefit from a more competetive market? Tell you what, lets bring back the Grocery order.

Sorry, but I really can imagine sayin to the missus 'I think we'll shop in tescos today because of their ample lighting and subtle tones along with their upbeat and cheerfuk music. Also their effective use of clever marketing in the layout means that we might buy something that we don't need. Yes it costs more than Lidl or Aldi, and we may not have to stand at a checkout a little longer but I think its really worth it for a pleasurable experience that can be achieved by shopping in these establishments.' - Yeah, as if.

Also, I am not telling anyone too shop in Tesco, shop where you want.

I think its just typical for the Irish people that if the stuff as free, we still would not be happy.

msg11

brianthebard wrote: »

Again tesco is little better,plus they don't pay irish farmers enough.Can we just agree that supermarkets suck balls pls?

How would that be, last I was told in a newspaper that Tesco is one of the biggest customers for fresh fruit and veg in Ireland. Dunno if its the same for the meat.

I terrible agree that they do suck balls. But I get pissed off at the fact that people expect things for nothing, its this type of attitude that has companys closing shop all over the island. And for what a holiday to spain to better there economy, or some other crap.

And another thing that gets too me is people turning there backs on companys that do alot for there customer and try there best taking into account there operating cost and still give out a price to match.

And what about the chairtys & school that benifit from people shopping in the bigger stores and the staff they employee ? Ah sure the customer doesn't care.

And have you asked yourself yet, if aldi/lidl get there products for dirt cheap have phek all running costs, would you not consider there prices over priced ?

kah22

A money saving site I visit regularly Martins Money Saving Tips makes the following claim by dropping down one brand e.g. premium to normal, or normal to own brand you can save one-third of your spend in a supermarket.

Of course you might not like the drop on a particular product but you won't know until you find out.

At the moment I've worked my way through ten different products that I buy on a regular basis and have decided to change in eight of them

Kevin.

ps first post and glad to be aboard

Morgans

msg11 wrote: »

How would that be, last I was told in a newspaper that Tesco is one of the biggest customers for fresh fruit and veg in Ireland. Dunno if its the same for the meat.

I terrible agree that they do suck balls. But I get pissed off at the fact that people expect things for nothing, its this type of attitude that has companys closing shop all over the island. And for what a holiday to spain to better there economy, or some other crap.

And another thing that gets too me is people turning there backs on companys that do alot for there customer and try there best taking into account there operating cost and still give out a price to match.

And what about the chairtys & school that benifit from people shopping in the bigger stores and the staff they employee ? Ah sure the customer doesn't care.

And have you asked yourself yet, if aldi/lidl get there products for dirt cheap have phek all running costs, would you not consider there prices over priced ?

Can I echo the cause that has been outlined about. I think we all should support those companies who have been systematically overcharging irish consumers for years. THose companies who refuse to break down how much profit they make in the irish market, and those companies who have been reluctant to change their prices in line with currency changes. I think they all are great, and we will miss being ripped off in the future. Mark my words. WE dont know now how lucky we were.

gixerfixer

I hope people continue to shop in Aldi and Lidl as if it wasnt for them we would be all still paying top dollar for everything under the cosy cartell that is Tesco,Dunnes and Superquinn.Tesco own brand food is revolting and i know dogs that would turn there noses up to it....Rats even

MOH

jahalpin wrote: »

The sterling difference is due to the fact that £1 sterling is actually worth more than €1 in the international currency market.

You, and a lot of others, seem to think that if an item is marked as £1 it should be sold for €1, which is madness.

No, people think if an item is marked as £1 it should be sold for the going rate in the international currency market, or reasonably close to same, not at a rate 20% higher.

msg11 wrote: »

The only difference I see between aldi/lidl & tesco is the fact, that tesco actully give a phek about the condition of there shops. They are clean and tidy, and I would say the checkouts would be quick.

Lidls stores are like warzones in the afternoons from what I have seen, panagrams don't seem to matter in these stores either, little selection compared to dunnes/tesco, lighting is very poor. And a lack of atmosphere compared to tesco/dunnes.

Try Tesco Clarehall some evening, I went there once and won't be going back. Trolleys and pallets all over the place, food past it's date on special offer, place was a kip. Recently went to the nearest Lidl, neat, tidy, well layed out, and saved €50.

Shelflife wrote: »

3. the staff are nice --- what staff?

The staff who work there.

the worrying thing is how people cant see that a business that employs very few people and imports all of their products and repatriates all of their profits can be good for the country in the long run.

And Tesco don't?

msg11 wrote: »

And another thing that gets too me is people turning there backs on companys that do alot for there customer and try there best taking into account there operating cost and still give out a price to match.

At the end of the day, the company is there to make a profit.

And what about the chairtys & school that benifit from people shopping in the bigger stores and the staff they employee ? Ah sure the customer doesn't care.

Why should the customer care? If the customer wants to donate money to charities or schools, great. It shouldn't be part of their weekly shop.

And have you asked yourself yet, if aldi/lidl get there products for dirt cheap have phek all running costs, would you not consider there prices over priced ?

If I can get the same or better quality food for 20% less than I pay elsewhere, why should I care?

gixerfixer

Big_Mac wrote: »

I think its a given that the staff in Lidl are not the nicest people in the world. but really, who cares? I don't and I'm certainly not going to be shopping somewhere else because a checkout lady (or guy) doesn't have a smile or make small talk. As for Cleanliness. I have yet to see when Tesco's in Sligo looks Cleaner than Lidl. Its feckin spotless......

Excellent post and i couldnt agree more.Superquinn rattle on about the "customer service" they have but so the hell what.I go into a supermarket to buy food and at the lowest posible price thank you very much,couldnt care less if the people who work there smile at me at the checkout and such.Fact is as a family we save 70-80 euro a week on food bills by shopping in Lidl and nothing Tesco or Superquin etc.. do will change that unless they match the prices of Lidl

mdebets

msg11 wrote: »

As for the value range comments/lidls range of products. All I can say is you get what you pay for. Don't expect something that is 20c too be any where near the 1.20c in terms of quality.

That's not necessarily true. In Germany for example, and I presume it's the same in Ireland, much of Aldi's and Lidl's products are just rebranded surplus brand products. So for example Heinz could produce 100 tons of baked beans, but could only sell 80 tons as Heinz baked beans, so the remaining 20 tons would be sold to Lidl or ALDI, who can then sell them as their own. Same beans, just to a lower price.

Morgans

Pretty much in all cases of buying content from Lidl (no nearby aldi) I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality. (I tend to buy meat from butchers regardless, so cant compare on that) I know there was a large thread on here before about what is good in the discount shops, but I would have very few complaints.

Tesco own brand is only good for its consistency accross all its products. To my pallette, it is uniformally sheite and cheap tasting. I cant think of one exception (their cereal bars arent awful at a push)

City centre lidls, and apparently aldis, are very busy and a little clausterphobic but for the main part, throughout country towns, lidls are every bit as clean as tescos and in my experience, better stocked.

In my experience, Tesco management seem to care less than other retailers about the state of their shops. Just my personal experience.

mike65

The checkout staff are perfectly polite down here (maybe rudenmess is a Dublin thing ) the shops are brightly lit and clean, the parking is free and plentyful. Seriously to not shop at Lidl would be an act of wilful stupidity. I just wish I'd cottened on far sooner.

Mike.

ntlbell

mike65 wrote: »

The checkout staff are perfectly polite down here (maybe rudenmess is a Dublin thing ) the shops are brightly lit and clean, the parking is free and plentyful. Seriously to not shop at Lidl would be an act of wilful stupidity. I just wish I'd cottened on far sooner.

Mike.

Why? are polish outside of Dublin more pleasant?

mike65

Maybe they are, I always get a smile and a "hello/hi" as does everyone else.

Mike.

foggy_lad

Shelflife wrote: »

A couple of points here some which amuse me some which worry me,

1. a poster made the point that aldi beans are edible not that they are nice but edible.

2. the shelves in aldi are stacked, they dont have shelves just spaces where pallets go

3. the staff are nice --- what staff?

the worrying thing is how people cant see that a business that employs very few people and imports all of their products and repatriates all of their profits can be good for the country in the long run.

less staff means more profits and more security for employees! and all aldi and lidl stores have shelves for smaller items and i find their fridges and freezers far easier to handle as they are not designed to be marketing tools! also it takes only a fraction of the time to navigate the checkouts ion lidl or aldi as you dont have bag packers smashing and breaking up your groceries and the staff operate at high speed to get you out of the shop quickly with your kids so ye can all relax again in the huge free carpark!

Shelflife wrote: »

kahless
im not defending tesco as they are parasites too, there are very few irish products in aldi their meat comes from the north as does their milk.

have you not heard ireland is an island now with 32 counties! the war is over!

Big_Mac wrote: »

I think its a given that the staff in Lidl are not the nicest people in the world. but really, who cares? I don't and I'm certainly not going to be shopping somewhere else because a checkout lady (or guy) doesn't have a smile or make small talk. As for Cleanliness. I have yet to see when Tesco's in Sligo looks Cleaner than Lidl. Its feckin spotless......

i think the staff in lidl in carlow are great always smiling and say hello as they see me every week and remember me!

mike65 wrote: »

The checkout staff are perfectly polite down here (maybe rudenmess is a Dublin thing ) the shops are brightly lit and clean, the parking is free and plentyful. Seriously to not shop at Lidl would be an act of wilful stupidity. I just wish I'd cottened on far sooner.

Mike.

+1

ntlbell wrote: »

Why? are polish outside of Dublin more pleasant?

this is a particularly nasty comment imo

Munya

I thought tesco was good value

pickarooney

Munya wrote: »

I thought tesco was good value

Compared to what? It still scares me every time I go into the place when I'm back in Ireland what people are prepared to pay for the most basic of items in there.

Corruptedmorals

Lol, Tesco and Dunnes are now playing god-awful free music to avoid paying the licensing fees. (Not all of them, but a good proportion)