Super U

[hughnique]

And the prices are dearer in Vernoil as well

[hughnique]

Blaze, yes we have always been reasonably satisfied, apart from the time OH had the cashier leap across the counter and rip her jumper up as the alarm kept going off, and she thought she had concealed something on her person, complaint followed but to no avail, she is still there, got to be the ugliest one on the tills, lank grey hair, she has been there for years, I remember she used to sit there picking her facial spots, and dropping the proceeds everywhere, horrible bloody cow she is, we avoid at all costs now.
I digress, thing is we did go to Netto's locally but it was rubbish and smelt bad, we had some dodgy meat out of there, but they then re-fitted and expanded into next door, the difference was amazing, lovely and clean in there now, but like Lidl, you can't get everything you need in there, and Lidl's especially seem like an end of line retailer, one minute it's there next time never to be seen again, they used to sell, Nan breads, and curry sauces, but that all disappeared.

[Blaze]

Lidl's especially seem like an end of line retailer, one minute it's there next time never to be seen again, they used to sell, Nan breads, and curry sauces, but that all disappeared.

Lidl's always been a bit like that : I'm not a crisp eater, but they did some fine truffle-flavoured ones that were yummy. They've never done them again. I think someone mentioned they bought some really good trainers that were never repeated ....
A bit like Noz, you have to be there at the right moment.

[Spectrum]

Been going to our Chabanais for sixteen years, never had a problem, got to know some staff but they do have a turnover, as for refits yes, a problem finding things to start with, but you soon learn where your favourites have been moved to. As I posted some time back not sure where, the next big thing might be solar panels over the car park, good for us as the cars are in the shade, good for the stores some cheaper energy, today there was a lot of markings in the car park and there was a few workmen drilling some deep holes, with a decent sized tracked machine, perhaps solar could be happening shortly

[exile]

Lidl's especially seem like an end of line retailer, one minute it's there next time never to be seen again, they used to sell, Nan breads, and curry sauces, but that all disappeared.

The "problem" with Lidl and Aldi is that you have to know what are their standard lines and what are their WIGIGs (When It's Gone It's Gone).

So Lidl frequently have things like Oriental week - with the Nann Bread, sauces etc. as well as things like Italian week, Del Mar (Iberian - mainly Spanish) week, American week, Greek week etc. These are treated in just the same as the electric drills, wash baskets and ski clothing. It's here this week but when sold out that will be it until the next similar themed week. WIGIG.

Aldi seems to be similar although I have not detected themes in the same way as Lidl.

On the basis of that I plan my purchases around the weeks and themes that interest me -
Nann bread
Italian jarred cherries
Greek jarred stuffed peppers
and so on.

You can access the offers through the relevant websites -
https://www.lidl.fr/catalogues-en-ligne
https://www.aldi.fr/nos-offres.html

[DominicBest]

About a year ago two Aldis opened up,quite close to where I live, both in premises that had been Leader Price. One of them has already closed. It was in a small uninspiring shop close to a large new purpose built Lidl.

[Quiksilver]

The same will happen in our local town, DB. The Leader Price became an Aldi, but they're never going to compete with the range and perceived 'bargains' in the nearby Lidl. On the one occasion I checked out the Aldi store, it reminded me of a poor-man's Noz and you can't get much more dispiriting than that
As for SuperU.....I used to read of their favourable prices elsewhere in France, but the franchise system dictates that, round here, they're dearer than Leclerc and even Intermarché! The way supermarket prices are going, it'll soon be more economical to buy direct from the producer, where possible. That takes time and carburant but it's much more satisfying

[exile]

I do agree about Aldi France - most disappointing in the main. Sadly under the control of Aldi Nord (white on blue logo) rather than for example the UK under the control of Aldi Sued (golden yellow on blue logo).

I don't think that their takeover of Leader Price has done them any favours.

In Germany I was originally in Sued territory and quite rated them. On the move north I ended up in Nord territory and my loyalties switched to Lidl. I also used a more up market supermarket for those things not stocked or where my preference was for a (usually) more expensive product.

[exile]

and Lidl's especially seem like an end of line retailer, one minute it's there next time never to be seen again, they used to sell, Nan breads, and curry sauces, but that all disappeared.

You may be interested to know that Lidl will be holding an Oriental week starting 18/1. Nann breads are not advertised but they rarely are - and yet are available during the week and beyond if not sold.

[Mangetout]

Be comforted that when you can't find stuff after a refit, the staff have the same problem !
@hughnique I know things change with time, but we always found the SU in Longé brilliant, especially the wine section. I remember when they did their first expansion ...... We avoided the one in Vernoil because they used to buy in stuff that was very close to (even over) the sell-by date. We didn't rate the one in Baugé either.
It's surprising how much they vary - our nearest SU gets top marks here over the others.

SU at Vernoil sell my favourite cereal baguette which is why I shop there for some, but not all, of my needs. And the girls/boys on the tills are very friendly. In fact it's the only shop I know where they apologise when they over charge, which is quite frequent. SU at Longue has a better selection and higher turnover which means stuff is fresher.