Lidl or aldi??

fro9etb8j5qsl2

I used to shop in aldi but I switched to lidl because they seemed to have more branded items. However, I've grown tired of the short shelf life of their fruit and veg, I seem to be finding mouldy fruit and veg 4 or 5 days after purchase. I'm wondering if it might be worth taking a trip to aldi for this weeks shop just to test the waters.... Which do you prefer?

green_dub_girl

I definately prefer Aldi, as they seem to have more of a range or products where as Lidl seem to have just one of each item. Aldi specially selected line is also great, and I love the super 6 offer (6 items of dirt cheap fruit/veg).

However, Lidl seem to me to be located in more convenient locations so often shop there over Aldi for handiness sake! Lidl cheeses, pizzas and the luxury tinned tomatoes are better than in any other reasonable priced supermarket!

rubadub

Maybe look for tips on storing the fruit & veg, or what could cause it. If you are storing in the same place, which once got mould, then it should be cleaned thoroughly otherwise mould spores can remain.

I would wash it out with regular bleach, and then when dry with hydrogen peroxide. I have read the regular bleach will kill living stuff and the peroxide will finish off any spores, but the regular stuff might be enough. Others might advise. I have mould on a damp wall and the peroxide was recommended, as this is just the surface it may be overkill.

fro9etb8j5qsl2

Flew into aldi out of curiosity and was amazed at the range and price of products compared to lidl! Also, the super 6 on fruit and veg is an excellent offer ended up with double the amount of stuff than I'd normally get in lidl for the same price. Hopefully the fruit and veg will last longer, I've tried everything with the stuff I get in lidl but no joy somebody did tell me that the lidl I shop in is well known foe it's ****e fruit and veg quality, maybe it's the way they store it or something.

green_dub_girl

Raul Tall Eyeteeth wrote: »

F Hopefully the fruit and veg will last longer, I've tried everything with the stuff I get in lidl but no joy somebody did tell me that the lidl I shop in is well known foe it's ****e fruit and veg quality, maybe it's the way they store it or something.

I find the Aldi fruit and veg lasts great. In Lidl, my experience with pears, plums and other fruits I've bought there is that they never actually ripen but remain sour and then suddenly rot from the inside. It's weird.

Corsendonk

I was involved in a study that looked at the quality and shelflife of Fruit and Veg from SQ, Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl and Aldi. The Lidl and Aldi fruit was found to be not as ripe so didn't do well in taste tests but it had the better shelflife.

Lidl in particular seems to keep a tight stock control, very often a high proportion of its Fruit and veg is offsale in the evenings because they sold out so they have a constant fresh replenishment. Some customers when you observe them shopping cause more damage to the fruit and veg than it has experienced in its journey from the field to the shop floor. :mad:

Aldi obviously had issues with shelflife that they have installed refrigeration for soft fruit and grapes.

Dizzyblonde

I find Aldi much better than Lidl for food. I go once a month to stock up on pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree and baking supplies etc. Also jars of sundried tomatoes and grilled peppers.
Lidl's better for weekly special offers.

Mike Litoris

Corsendonk wrote: »

I was involved in a study that looked at the quality and shelflife of Fruit and Veg from SQ, Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl and Aldi. The Lidl and Aldi fruit was found to be not as ripe so didn't do well in taste tests but it had the better shelflife.

I'd like to know the finding of this especially on shelf life as I find Tesco a joke when it comes to best before dates.

Anyways Aldi al the way for me.

Corsendonk

Mike Litoris wrote: »

I'd like to know the finding of this especially on shelf life as I find Tesco a joke when it comes to best before dates.

Anyways Aldi al the way for me.

Some was perception, tasters believed that SQ would be better but on a blind tasting you couldn't tell a noticeable difference. Tesco had some shelf life failures but as I said the main supermarkets had riper fruit so SQ and Dunnes had around the same failure rate. Aldi/Lidl seems to favour bigger fruit which gives some consumers a perception of better value and they often were still selling fruit from countries that the main supermarkets had moved on from due to declining quality.

Outside of shelflife and quality there was at times a 50 euro difference between buying the same shop in Lidl with SQ at the top as the most expensive. Lidl and Aldi have a smaller range of products so they turn over stock quicker.

Tesco has a terrible reputation for shelflife even do very often they have the exact same product as other Irish supermarkets. Partly due to perception people think there shelflife is v poor, I think if I set up a stand at a farmers market and bought my fruit in Tesco and opened the packs and displayed them in baskets and barrels people wouldn't have a problem with the shelflife and quality.

Another factor with Tesco quality and shelflife is what they call the last 10 feet. Ever stopped and watched how the Tesco staff pack out fruit and Veg? Real eye opener watching them at night in a 24 hour store, 1 or 2 people doing the work of 4 so they work at full tilt throwing stock on the shelf with no time for quality checks and careful handling of stock. I seen them stack green trays on top of open cases of loose apples or push bananas into a fridge(never ever done) The refridgeration in the produce dept isn't the best either and not cleaned as regular as it should be to help air-flow. I understand that the M & S fridges are light years ahead of Tesco but more costly to buy. As for produce training your lucky if Tesco Produce staff can tell you the difference between an apple or orange so that doesn't inspire confidence and helps to reinforce the poor quality perception of Tesco Fruit and Veg.

olaola

I visit Lidl to pick up a few things - dishwasher tablets, washing powder (both came very high on the Which? survey) tinned and fresh tomatoes, and their low fat yoghurts. I go to Aldi to get basically everything else. There are a few branded products that I won't go without - Fairy, Chef ketchup & Hellman's mayo - so I might drop into SQ/Dunnes to get those.

revell

I go to supermarket everyday so I do not mind the shelflife at all.

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

JackN688

ALDI, IS A MUST, ITS PERFECT, MIND YOU IVE BEEN TO BOTH, AND AM SICK OF BOTH, YOU GET SICK OF THE LACK OF MORE "EXOTIC" FOODS, EG. CANT GET LOADS OF SPICES, MEATS, SAUCES, VEGATABLES
IF YOUR A KEEN COOK, TESCO IS YOUR ONLY MAN, OR THE MARKET IF YOUR A CORKONIAN LIKE MYSELF

Faith

JackN688 wrote: »

ALDI, IS A MUST, ITS PERFECT, MIND YOU IVE BEEN TO BOTH, AND AM SICK OF BOTH, YOU GET SICK OF THE LACK OF MORE "EXOTIC" FOODS, EG. CANT GET LOADS OF SPICES, MEATS, SAUCES, VEGATABLES
IF YOUR A KEEN COOK, TESCO IS YOUR ONLY MAN, OR THE MARKET IF YOUR A CORKONIAN LIKE MYSELF

Please turn off the Caps Lock. It comes across as shouting.

JackN688

Apologies

olaola

I despise Tesco. Along with the fake discounts, crappy veg (it goes off so quickly), the ‘intern’ Christmas shelf stacker joke and not publishing their Irish profits.

I refuse to darken their door again.

Tabnabs

On several occasions I've seen rotten fruit in SQ. Their oranges seem to be the main culprit, but bagged salad has been a problem too.

Although we did once get hairy bacon in Lidl that didn't smell too good either when we cooked it

bamboozle

olaola wrote: »

I despise Tesco. Along with the fake discounts, crappy veg (it goes off so quickly), the ‘intern’ Christmas shelf stacker joke and not publishing their Irish profits.

I refuse to darken their door again.

+1 to the despite of Tesco.

I'm suprised Super value hasnt been mentioned, when it comes to going off fruit and veg there's no where that can be as poor as Super Value (well the one in Killester anyway)

have stated shopping in Lidl recently, great value there, their butter, organic eggs, organic fruit & veg, milk & bread (all irish made) are all great and 30-40% less than what we'd been previoulsy paying between superquinn and our local supermarket. They do nice cheeses and youghurts also. Going to try Aldi soon, been hearing good things about their steaks.

bpb101

there the same thing

Glenbhoy

Aldi wins for me, i think overall quality is better (or at least it looks and tastes better). I'd liken it to Superquinn but there is zero comparison in prices.

As for Tesco, there are plenty of offers in Tesco and I do shop there regularly, if you truly hate them, buy their below cost offers, no better way to hurt them;)

Glenbhoy

bamboozle wrote: »

Going to try Aldi soon, been hearing good things about their steaks.

Their ribeye and fillets come from AIBP who supply exactly the same steaks to Superquinn. €12 odd in Aldi, €19 odd in Superquinn.

decisions

Glenbhoy wrote: »

Their ribeye and fillets come from AIBP who supply exactly the same steaks to Superquinn. €12 odd in Aldi, €19 odd in Superquinn.

I that stake.

Honey-ec

Glenbhoy wrote: »

Their ribeye and fillets come from AIBP who supply exactly the same steaks to Superquinn. €12 odd in Aldi, €19 odd in Superquinn.

Their fruit and veg also comes from the same supplier as Superquinn.

carhue

olaola wrote: »

I visit Lidl to pick up a few things - dishwasher tablets, washing powder (both came very high on the Which? survey) tinned and fresh tomatoes, and their low fat yoghurts. I go to Aldi to get basically everything else. There are a few branded products that I won't go without - Fairy, Chef ketchup & Hellman's mayo - so I might drop into SQ/Dunnes to get those.

Lidl stock chef ketchup and hellamn mayo

123balltv

Glenbhoy wrote: »

Their ribeye and fillets come from AIBP who supply exactly the same steaks to Superquinn. €12 odd in Aldi, €19 odd in Superquinn.

it amazes me how Superquinn are still up and running how can they defend
these differences
I like Aldi great quality at good prices

bryaner

carhue wrote: »

Lidl stock chef ketchup and hellamn mayo

At normal Irish supermarket prices, the only way to save at lidl or aldi is to buy there own brand stuff..

Plowman

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Little Alex

I have to say that I love shopping in all supermarkets.

I also have to say that I haven't really noticed fruit or veg going off prematurely... aside from scallions and the pots of coriander... they are ready for the bin after a few days, regardless of where I get them.

My faves:

1. Tesco
2. Aldi
3. Lidl
4. Dunnes
5. Superquinn

Spar, Supervalu, etc.: would only shop there if I had no other choice.

ElectraX

I personally think Aldi is way better than Lidl in terms of product range and price. I would by my "branded" items in Tescos, as there are just some things I wouldn't like the Aldi equivalents of ie. mayo/washing up powder. But I shop more and more in Aldi because I think the quality of alot of the products is excellent and they stock some really nice imported meats/cheeses at a fraction of the price of the other supermarkets. The fruit and veg also has a good shelf life and is unbelievably cheap!!
Obviously some products are hit and miss, but there is a growing list of favourites from there on my list now.
I just wish they would do a loyalty card!!!

jimmycrackcorm

The correct answer is whichever one is closest...

But Aldi ftw when it comes to ribeye steaks.

ElectraX

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

But Aldi ftw when it comes to ribeye steaks.

And their fillet steaks!!! A nice treat:D

Tieko

Have to agree, Aldi's premium steaks are excellent and I find their fruit and veg lasts for ages

Vote 4 Pedro

I go to Lidl every week but never been in a Aldi,
But i'll be going tomorrow.

usually go to Dunnes about 50%, Tesco about 25%(although i hate Tesco) and Lidi about 25%
But i'll be giving Aldi a try now.

dubh101

I would like to recomend Lidl Preimum Mayonaise(in a yellow squeezy bottle),best mayo around,much superiour to hellmans.

emeraldstar

dubh101 wrote: »

I would like to recomend Lidl Preimum Mayonaise(in a yellow squeezy bottle),best mayo around,much superiour to hellmans.

But - but - food LOVES Hellman's!

dubh101

emeraldstar wrote: »

But - but - food LOVES Hellman's!

Lol dont take my word for it,try it,much closer to homemade mayo/

Manda76

Lately I find Lidl has changed a few products like their cereal, for years they had the same brands my kids loved (Lidls own brand, Fruit rings and Chocolate hoops) and then suddenly they must have changed their supplier and the cereals looked and tasted very cheap..and they have no added vitamins.
I searched the boxes totally confused why boxes of cereal obviously aimed at kids had no added vitamins! my friend also noticed their nappies are different and her little one barely gets an hour out of the nappies before they are heavy and wet.
So it really looks like Lidl are penny pinching and are constantly changing their suppliers and using cheaper suppliers.
Oh and Lidl are slowly adding a lot of buy two for three/four euro offers, which is greedy Tescos gimmick..it defeats the purpose of shopping in a discount supermarket if they are trying to get us to buy two boxes of teabags when we only want one!
Now Aldi to me seem so much cheaper, have more Irish copied products..and their own brand products are excellent and nearly a match for the brand names, but half the price.
I made the mistake of shopping in Tesco two weeks ago, I spent 130 euro thinking I had bought loads and got their so called special offers and things half price..but ended up not getting enough lunches for my kids and catfood and didn't buy enough milk. I had to go to Dealz on the friday and spent 20 euro buying the rest. Last week I went to Aldi and spent 130 and got loads! seriously it is so cheap, you just get so much for your money.
Ok it's a pain in the arse loading your stuff onto the belt to put it all back in the trolley, and then four people are standing behind you with two things looking at you with their oh hurry up expressions and then you have to put them into bags at the counter but my presses and fridge was packed.

meoklmrk91

I used to shop in tesco, but found that their own brand stuff was absolute crap and can't afford to be buying brand names all the time.

I then switched to lidl, liked it a lot the food was good enough quality etc. but still felt like I was coming out of there with nothing.

I switched to aldi about a month ago and I have to say I am loving it. I come out with a massive amount of stuff on a small budget, I've yet to come across something that tastes low quality and they have a fantastic range of products.

Even though it's more of a hassle to go to aldi as its further away than the other too it's worth it because I am getting so much more for my money.

Small tip: next time you are in aldi pick up a pack of their peanut cookies, the are amazing!

xzanti

I only converted to Aldi a couple of weeks ago.. I was a staunch Tesco-er before that and I can't believe I've spent so long throwing money away :eek:

The food in Aldi is just as nice if not nicer than what you'd get in Tesco.. I still go to the bigger Supermarket for the likes of my cosmetics and I find their cleaning products aren't great.. But the food is great and such good value..

I worked in a Lidl years ago for a brief period.. and I used to see people bringing back milk that was gone off but still in date, same with fruit and veg so that put me off ever shopping in there

Manda76

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

I used to shop in tesco, but found that their own brand stuff was absolute crap and can't afford to be buying brand names all the time.

I then switched to lidl, liked it a lot the food was good enough quality etc. but still felt like I was coming out of there with nothing.

I switched to aldi about a month ago and I have to say I am loving it. I come out with a massive amount of stuff on a small budget, I've yet to come across something that tastes low quality and they have a fantastic range of products.

Even though it's more of a hassle to go to aldi as its further away than the other too it's worth it because I am getting so much more for my money.

Small tip: next time you are in aldi pick up a pack of their peanut cookies, the are amazing!

The peanut cookies are lovely, so are the Malt milk biscuits and Oaties. The Malt biscuits are only 45c..the Oaties are like hob nobs but only cost 65c!

Manda76

xzanti wrote: »

I only converted to Aldi a couple of weeks ago.. I was a staunch Tesco-er before that and I can't believe I've spent so long throwing money away :eek:

The food in Aldi is just as nice if not nicer than what you'd get in Tesco.. I still go to the bigger Supermarket for the likes of my cosmetics and I find their cleaning products aren't great.. But the food is great and such good value..

I worked in a Lidl years ago for a brief period.. and I used to see people bringing back milk that was gone off but still in date, same with fruit and veg so that put me off ever shopping in there

I shopped in Tescos for years, I always spent too much never came out with any change.I used to dread watching all the shopping add up, watching the scanner thing like a hawk praying it never went over what I had.
Like a few times I promised the kids a McDonalds on the way home from Tescos but would end up leaving the shop with 3 euro in my purse..if I was lucky and my kids didn't get their Happy meals, and they rarely get one it's a treat for them.
You just spend so much each time, unless you buy all the Tesco Value products..and the food products are just rubbish.
So each weekend my press and fridge were nearly empty and I was trying to figure out how I was spending nearly 140-60 euro on shopping a week and have nothing left after a few days, my Mother was the one who kept telling me to got to Aldi. I will never understand how Tesco has so many BOGOF and half price offers and you still spend a fortune..can anyone work out how they are so expensive? it's like when you buy one of their half price offers you notice their potatoes went up in price. They reduce some things while slyly putting other items up in price.

Plowman

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seanpjs93

The Aldi Angus burgers are the best frozen meat I've ever tasted the only additives are seasonings and the rest is beef, they're not dry or anything, they're by far the nicest I've had from frozen. I actually prefer them over the local butcher's burgers.

BRAIN FEEDs

[QUOTE=seanpjs93;79475724]The Aldi Angus burgers are the best frozen meat I've ever tasted the only additives are seasonings and the rest is beef, they're not dry or anything, they're by far the nicest I've had from frozen. I actually prefer them over the local butcher's burgers.[/QUOTE]your local butcher wouldnt get much change from you

Pocoyo

JackN688 wrote: »

ALDI, IS A MUST, ITS PERFECT, MIND YOU IVE BEEN TO BOTH, AND AM SICK OF BOTH, YOU GET SICK OF THE LACK OF MORE "EXOTIC" FOODS, EG. CANT GET LOADS OF SPICES, MEATS, SAUCES, VEGATABLES
IF YOUR A KEEN COOK, TESCO IS YOUR ONLY MAN, OR THE MARKET IF YOUR A CORKONIAN LIKE MYSELF

I could never grow sick of aldi in fact i think aldi as a company and brand is possibly my favorite of all time,Apart from the model and look i dont think aldi and lidl can be compared aldi's quality is far better,As for tesco everyday value that really is rubbish.

CountingClocks

Aldi FTW followed by an odd trip to Lidl and Dunnes or if I'm stuck Tesco. Just waiting for a new ALDI to open near me now, should be in the coming months.

malibu4u

xzanti wrote: »

I worked in a Lidl years ago for a brief period.. and I used to see people bringing back milk that was gone off but still in date, same with fruit and veg so that put me off ever shopping in there

I do not shop in either lidl or aldi as the money spent there goes straight out of the country.

the beer revolu

malibu4u wrote: »

I do not shop in either lidl or aldi as the money spent there goes straight out of the country.

Never shop in Tesco either?

blindsider

malibu4u wrote: »

I do not shop in either lidl or aldi as the money spent there goes straight out of the country.

Dunnes claim of being Irish is interesting.

They are privately owned, so no-one knows what their profits are, or where the money goes.

This is def worth a read.

http://www.thejournal.ie/dunnes-stores-high-percentage-mandate-flexible-contracts-1843795-Dec2014/

Dunnes do not have a good record in the Employment Appeals Tribunal/Labour Court (a matter of record - check lrc.ie)

SuperValu/Centra are independent franchises controlled by Musgraves in Cork - probably the most "Irish" of all the supermarkets in Ireland.

the beer revolu

Concentrating on buying Irish produce will do far, far more for the Irish economy than worrying about where you buy it.

Supermarkets make really tiny profit margins 1-3%. The difference between, say Supervalu and Aldi as regards money staying in the country is in the region of this 1 - 3% profit.

Shenshen

I love Lidl's bakery section - I finally can get decent pretzels here!

I also prefer their pickles (gherkins, silver onions, red cabbage and beetroot) - Aldi's are too vinegary for me.

But other than that, I tend to prefer Aldi. They've got a better selection of fruit and veg, as well as cheeses.

And now they stock Quorn and have a better home baking section, I'm not sure why I'd ever got to any other shop any more.