Buying groceries in London
Choosing the right supermarket
London offers a wide variety of supermarkets to suit different budgets and shopping needs. You will commonly find the following major chain supermarkets across the city:
- Lidl
- Aldi
- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Asda
- Co-op
- Waitrose
- Marks & Spencer (M&S)
Advice on cost
Budget-friendly options: Lidl, Aldi and Asda are usually the cheapest and are ideal for weekly grocery shopping.
Higher-cost options: Waitrose and Marks & Spencer are more expensive and better suited for occasional treats or speciality items.
Branded vs own-brand products
Branded products are often more expensive. Supermarket own-brand items are usually cheaper and can help you save money on everyday shopping.
Express supermarkets
Many supermarkets also have smaller stores, such as:
- Tesco Express
- Sainsbury’s Local
- Co-op convenience stores
These smaller stores are convenient and widely available. However, prices are typically higher than in larger supermarkets.
Reusable bags
Bring reusable bags with you. In the UK, supermarkets charge at least 10p for plastic bags. To save money and reduce waste, it is recommended to use reusable shopping bags, often called “bags for life”.
Loyalty cards and offers
Most supermarkets provide free loyalty schemes, offering discounts and rewards. For example:
- Tesco Clubcard
- Sainsbury’s Nectar
- Lidl Plus
- Morrisons More
These are available as mobile apps and sometimes physical cards. Using them can help you save money on regular purchases.
Meal deals
Many supermarkets offer meal deals, which usually include: 1 main item (e.g. sandwich or salad); 1 snack; 1 drink. These are a cost-effective option for lunch on the go.
Other grocery stores
World food shops
London is a multicultural city with a wide range of international supermarkets and food shops, where you can find ingredients from different countries. This can help you stay connected to familiar foods from home.
Corner shops, convenience stores and off licenses
These are small, independent grocery shops sometimes located on street corners. They sell basic groceries and drinks, and may also offer parcel courier services. They are usually more expensive than supermarket prices but are convenient due to their locations in residential areas.
Finding discounts
‘Yellow sticker’ reduced items
Products close to their expiry date are often heavily discounted in supermarkets. These are usually available in the evenings before store closing times, and you can spot them because they tend to have a distinctive yellow sticker with the new discounted price.
Too Good To Go
Download the Too Good To Go app to buy unsold food at a discounted price from shops, cafés and restaurants. It is a good way to save money and reduce food waste.
Top tips
- Plan weekly shopping at budget supermarkets to manage your finances
- Use loyalty cards and discounts wherever possible.
- Explore international food stores to find familiar ingredients.
- Check reduced items to save money on food.
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