Luke Martin-Jones Awards - Supermercado Of The Year!

From a new life in spain, to an old life in britain, 'roaming brit' documents uncertain times!

On 31st January 2016, my partner and I left Southampton to start a new life as Expats in Gran Alacant, on the Costa Blanca. This blog will document our journey, as we navigate the Spanish system, travelling a path untried and untested. With Brexit looming, political turmoil in Europe and an unpredictable future, harsh decisions have to be made. Illness, family bonds and a Change of heart all make for challenging times in a life of a 'Roaming Brit!'

Luke Martin-Jones Awards - Supermercado Of The Year!

4/1/2018

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The second Luke Martin-Jones award, is for 'Supermercado (Supermarket) Of The Year.' In the UK, I had my favourite supermarket, the one I used to shop in every week. Like most people, I am a creature of habit, preferring one shop over another, for no particular reason, other than I use it week after week and have become comfortable frequenting its isles. In Spain I shop as I do, for very different reasons. Of course, I have to like the supermarket, where I am spending my hard earned cash, but my overriding concern is about cost. How much I spend on groceries each week is far more important now, than it ever was in the UK; bargain basement shopping is a must; most of the time!

I have just got back from doing the weekly shop; for a change we went to Carrefour in Santa Pola. To be honest, I was in there for about twenty minutes and had only put two items in my trolley; I just wasn't happy spending money in there, Everything was overpriced and just not what I was looking for. Let me try and give you an example; I wanted to buy a 'Gâteau des Rois,' basically a cake ring for 'Día de Reyes' or Kings' Day. In Carrefour they were 12'99€, a lot of money for a cake. In Lidl they were selling them, for the bargain price of 4'99€; that's a huge difference, for the same product.

Whenever I go into Lidl, I can always guarantee, their prices are lower than anywhere else, no matter what I am buying. For everyday staples; bread, milk, cheese and eggs, you simply can't beat the value. When I look back at my life in the UK and the vast amount of money I used to spend on shopping each week; usually about 150 pounds, I shudder at the quantity I used to throw away. I would eat maybe three quarters of what I bought, discarding the rest. Unlike Britain, Spanish supermarkets don't compete against each other in the same way; there are very few '3 for two' or 'buy one get one free' offers on items, consequently, we are not persuaded to part with money, we can't afford. These types of promotions, offer false economy and were always responsible for the products I threw away. In Spain items are much cheaper to buy than the UK in any case, so I tend to just shop for necessities each week, avoiding the pre-packaged, ready prepared, processed meals, that always have a price premium. The reality is, I avoid convenience, in favour of traditional home cooked food!

I am of course familiar with Lidl, living in the UK; oddly enough I never used to shop there, when I was based in Southampton. Today I use one of the continents favourite supermarkets, because they offer a product range I am familiar with, at a price I can afford, without the frippery and useless items, other establishments push to their customers. With low prices, I only spend about 60€ a week; actually today I spent 46€; the money I have left over, I can save or use to have a meal out. Now I live five minutes walk away, I can shop everyday if I wish, cutting down the waste even further; not that there is much anyway!

So there you have it, my choice for 'supermercado of the year' is Lidl. Remember this is only my personal preference, you may think differently; please do let me know your views, as I know you will!