英国超市

What are the supermarkets in the UK?

 

Every country has supermarkets, including high-end, regular, and budget supermarkets. In the UK, there is a wide range of supermarkets available. Apart from the local British supermarkets, you can find Chinese supermarkets, Korean supermarkets, Japanese supermarkets, Thai supermarkets, online supermarkets, and more. Many supermarkets in the UK also operate 24 hours a day. If you are financially well-off and studying in the UK, you don't need to bring everything with you, such as clothes, bedding, and other daily necessities, as you can find them all in the UK. However, be aware that prices can be quite expensive.

 

For example, a bottle of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce, which costs around 10 RMB in China, would be approximately 6 pounds in the UK. Some students may say that rice cookers in the UK have limited functions and are not as cheap as those in China. However, if you have enough money, you can find rice cookers with various functions, including Chinese brands. The prices, though, can be quite high, not as affordable as those in China. Similarly, when it comes to rice, you can find rice from various countries in most supermarkets. Chinese supermarkets tend to have the highest prices for rice, while smaller ethnic supermarkets or local British supermarkets may offer cheaper options.

 

Now, let's talk about high-end supermarkets in the UK.

 

Mark & Spencer:

Mark & Spencer, also known as M&S, is a well-established department store in the UK. It has branches in many cities across the country and even in other European countries. The prices at M&S are relatively high, but the quality of their products is guaranteed. They offer a wide variety of delicious snacks and have a comprehensive range of products, from furniture to fruits and vegetables. They also frequently have promotions, such as buy one, get one free, on perishable food items near closing time.

link：https://www.marksandspencer.com/

Whole Foods Market

This is a high-end supermarket from the United States that specializes in organic and natural food. They offer a wide range of products, including many varieties that other supermarkets may not have. However, the prices are very expensive. Currently, their physical stores are located in London, but their products can also be purchased on Amazon.

link：https://eu.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Waitrose

"This supermarket in the UK is primarily located in upscale residential areas or commercial districts. It is one of the supermarkets favored by the British royal family, and you may occasionally encounter members of the royal family when visiting this supermarket."

link：https://www.waitrose.com/

The regular supermarkets in the UK.

1、Tesco

This supermarket is a chain supermarket and is the largest retail chain in the UK. It is also one of the world's top three retail chains. It can be found in almost every region of the UK and is very common. The prices are quite affordable and not particularly expensive.

link：https://www.tesco.com/

Sainsbury’s

This supermarket is also very common in the UK and can be found everywhere. The prices are similar to the aforementioned Tesco, and many locals shop at this supermarket.

link：https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/

ASDA

The supermarket ASDA merged with Sainsbury's in 2018. As ASDA is a large-scale comprehensive supermarket, it is typically located in suburban areas and occupies a significant amount of land. It is known for offering lower prices compared to Sainsbury's and Tesco.

link：https://www.asda.com/

Morrisons

This supermarket is also a comprehensive large-scale supermarket located in suburban areas. It offers affordable prices and has a wide selection of food items that are popular among the Chinese community, such as pig's trotters and more. They frequently hold large promotional sales towards the end of each day.

link：https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/startWebshop.do

Costco

This supermarket operates on a membership system, meaning you must obtain their membership card in order to enter and make purchases. It is an American supermarket that specializes in selling items in bulk, similar to wholesale. For example, you can only buy toilet paper in bulk, by the case, and toothbrushes are sold in packs of ten or twenty, as they are packaged in larger quantities. They offer a wide range of products, including branded luggage items and more. It is a cost-effective option for shopping.

link：https://www.costco.co.uk/

What are the budget-friendly supermarkets in the UK?

Wilko

It primarily sells furniture products and also has many interesting toys. I have been there a few times and bought things like washbasins and kettles. They have items that may not be available in other supermarkets. However, it's important to check the English words in advance. Taking photos inside the supermarket is not allowed, and security guards may approach you to remind you not to take pictures.

link：https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/

LiDL

This supermarket is one of my go-to places for shopping in the budget-friendly supermarkets. The quality is decent, and the prices are very affordable. It is a German supermarket, so many of the products are from Germany or other European countries. Due to its larger size, it is often located in suburban areas surrounding the city.

link：https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/index.htm

ALDI

This supermarket, along with the one mentioned above, is also a budget-friendly supermarket from Germany. The products they sell and the prices are similar, offering affordable and cost-effective options.

link：https://www.aldi.co.uk/

Iceland

This supermarket, like the one mentioned above, is also a budget-friendly supermarket from Germany. The items they sell and the prices are similar, making it an affordable and money-saving option.

link：https://www.iceland.co.uk/

Poundland

We refer to this store as a 'pound shop.' It is usually located in the city center, and most of the items inside are priced at one pound, while some may be a few pounds or a few pence. This store sells items that would cost several pounds in other supermarkets, but here they are sold for just one pound, making it a great money-saving option.

link：https://www.poundland.co.uk/

WHSmith

This supermarket was recommended by my teacher during class. At that time, I needed to buy notebooks and stationery supplies, so my teacher suggested going to this store. This supermarket primarily sells books, newspapers, stationery, toys, and they also have some food items, but mostly snacks. It's okay overall, but the prices are not particularly budget-friendly.

link：https://www.whsmith.co.uk/

The co-operative food

This store is not very visible in the city center but is more commonly found near residential areas in the vicinity. It is convenient for residents living nearby. The prices are also not very expensive. It is a small-scale supermarket that belongs to a chain.

link：https://food.coop.co.uk/

SPAR

This is a chain supermarket from the Netherlands, offering both large-scale supermarkets and small convenience stores. It is not a very common store, but the prices are reasonable.

link：https://www.spar.co.uk/

What are the Chinese supermarkets in the UK?

 

In various cities across the UK, there are many Chinese supermarkets, each with a different name. Some Chinese supermarkets have been established for a long time, while others may close after a few years, with a relatively fast turnover. For example, a few years ago, Coventry and Birmingham had only three or four Chinese supermarkets, but within a few years, the number increased to seven or eight. In addition to the growing number of Chinese supermarkets, the quantity of Chinese restaurants has also increased significantly. However, due to factors such as being newly opened, not being part of a chain, operating for only a few years, or having a presence in a specific location, I won't go into detail about these smaller supermarkets. Today, I will mainly introduce the well-established and chain Chinese supermarkets in the UK.

 

Wingyip (荣业行)

Wingyip, headquartered in Birmingham, is the largest chain of Chinese supermarkets in the UK. It not only operates Chinese supermarkets but also features self-service restaurants. For example, in Birmingham, Wingyip has a self-service restaurant located next to the supermarket, offering a wide range of food options at reasonable prices. We have personally visited the restaurant, although its location is somewhat remote.

link：https://www.wingyip.com/

UKCNSHOP

This is an online Chinese supermarket that offers free shipping to the entire UK region for orders over £50.

link：https://www.ukcnshop.com/

Korean supermarkets in the UK

HMART

This is the largest Korean supermarket in the UK, offering a wide range of Korean food products and more, including rice cookers, barbecue grills, and so on. There are a total of three physical stores for this supermarket.

link：https://hmart.co.uk/shop/en/

Korea Foods

This Korean supermarket is also located in London, and while it primarily focuses on Korean food, it also offers products from other countries such as China, Thailand, and more.

link：https://www.koreafoods.co.uk/en

Kmart and  Seoul plaza

These two Korean supermarkets are both located in London. Although they are not very large, they offer a wide range of commonly found Korean food items.

"Japanese supermarkets in the UK"

Japan Centre

This Japanese supermarket is highly recommended by many people because it offers excellent ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, fresh produce, and various Japanese food items. It also provides a wide selection of Japanese snacks and treats. Online shopping is available for this supermarket, but its physical stores are only located in London.

link：https://www.japancentre.com/en

Arigato

This Japanese supermarket is located next to London's Chinatown. They sell a variety of products, not limited to just Japanese goods, but also items from China, Korea, Thailand, and more.

 

Online Supermarkets in the UK:

 

Amazon

Over the years, Amazon has become a comprehensive online shopping website that sells almost everything from various locations. By searching on their platform, you can find a wide range of products from different countries, including those from your home country or other countries.

link：https://www.amazon.co.uk

Ebay

You can also find many things on eBay, but the shipping speed can be quite slow in some cases, such as taking more than 10 days for delivery. When making purchases, remember to check the estimated shipping time provided by the sellers.

link：http://ebay.co.uk