New years resolution - say no to T***o

[Andy Hamilton]

My new years resolution was to not buy anything from T***o, I can happily say it is now June and I have kept it up. I have been in other supermarkets but even that is dwindling now.

[MKG]

Ha!!! My resolution was not to join any internet forums. Look where that got me!

[Ratty]

I refuse to go in either T3sc0 or @sd@. Pet peeve is OH's mother buying our son clothes from @sd@. Have to resistent temptation to say "oh look, clothes for children made by children!"

Ratty

[contadina]

Well done Andy, it doesn't take long to wean yourself off them and to appreciate your local shops more. Two die-hard supermarket shoppers have a holiday home near us (there son is a buyer for one of the big ones). I think it's a real shame they miss out on a proper slice of Italian life when they visit as they presume shopping will be cheaper and easier in the supermarkets.

Anyway I took their till receipt from their supermarket shop when they first arrived and compared prices as we went round the market and a few shops at the weekend. Even I'm surprised that everything on their receipt was cheaper elsewhere. The equality of the fruit and veg was infinitely better in the market and they had fun chatting away to all the store holders.

I know they'll continue to shop at supermarkets both here and in the UK, but I'd like to think they'll maybe not do it all the time.

[eccentric_emma]

well done. its good to wean yourself off supermarkets! we have been working on it for a while and have done pretty well. the only things we get on a regular basis now are hard goats cheese, basics bourbon biscuits and loo roll. so not doing too badly!

[JR]

Hats off to you, I find certain things we use we can get only in supermarkets. Our town is not the best for alternatives, not many specialist shops. We have found a good butcher and a greengrocer for when we are not picking from the plot.

The other issue is we both work full time, with the 4 children, dog and allotment it is difficult to find the time to shop around. We did think we were good using some local shops.

[eccentric_emma]

JR have you tried Canterbury Wholefoods - they do deliver as well. If you google them you will find the info. That is who we use for the bulk of our dry goods. We barely buy any frozen stuff and fridge stuff is from our veg box scheme - (the garden produce company - who do loads more than just fruit and veg as well - all from producers in Kent.

But i say congratulations to anyone who manages to avoid the supermarket at all because its such a difficult thing to do! They are everywhere - and in different disguises as well! (T***o do veg boxes now, and they have taken over One Stop but havent changed the name - cheeky!)

[Ratty]

That reminds me, T3sc0 also own Dobbies! If you have this garden centre near you then AVOID!

Ratty

[Silver Ether]

Is there nothing they can't keep the mitts off I have cut T£££o out other than a monthly visit for a few items that we prefer from there than any where else. I do use the co-op and everything else comes from real shops or the market now oh I tell fibs there ... as some stuff comes from the woods
edit to say and will be coming from the garden more

[ina]

Bought one onion from Somerfields the other day - only because I was with a friend and she was doing her shopping there... Other than that I've been to the Coop occasionally, and to Lidl's (mostly for the German stuff and catfood.... ) None of the big ones, though.

I really, honestly have no idea what I would want to buy in those shops.

[Thurston Garden]

I would not even pee on a T***o's if it was on fire!

http://www.tescopoly.org/

[AXJ]

Is the T-word being singled out for any particular reason or is it just big supermarkets in general?

I have a simple phylosophy (for town dwellers any way)...

If you can't walk there and back carriying what you buy.. don't go there and don't buy it.

Sadly the small shops here are getting squeezed by the just out of town hypermarkets such as Eroski or Sabeco who have formed a pincer movement. Never the less, I can get farm fresh veg and still warm baked bread within 100 metres from small shops, and I don't live in the high street LoL.

Every shop that sells veg gets it from local producers, if it is not in season, then the chances are it won't be in the small shops.

[ina]

Is the T-word being singled out for any particular reason or is it just big supermarkets in general?

They are the biggest and baddest.... But you are right, there's not that much to choose between all the 5 big ones (I think it's five, anyway).

[ina]

Oh blast. Bad news. Shetland, so far T*sco free zone, is getting their very own in July.... One of the reasons why I like it so much up there is gone.

[AXJ]

A nuggest of news concerning T-word and chickens

Chef faces £86,000 chicken bill