Tesco fired the opening salvo. Since then, discount warehouse CheepCheep opened, Dunnes slashed their prices, and the supermarket war heated up. So, is there any need to go north for groceries anymore?
The main players in Northern Ireland’s border areas are Asda and Sainsbury’s. Asda don’t really go in for special offers, instead claiming to focus on permanently low prices. They do have Daily Deals and occasional offers, such as £1 each on selected health and beauty items, including Colgate Sensation Toothpaste, Clarityn allergy tablets, and Lynx shower gels.
Have you crossed the border to shop in Asda; are you still doing so? What did you like, what did you dislike?
Monday 22 June, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I popped into the Asda store in Kilkeel Co.Down last weekend. It’s a bustling fishing village but, like many towns in the North, any appeal for the visitor is marred by the triumphalist display of tribal flags at every street corner. It certainly doesn’t make you feel inclined to stop and sample the local pubs and restaurants, which is a pity.
I didn’t come across any exceptional bargains in Asda but the quality and choice of foods available was pretty good. They were selling two boxes of 80 Fairtrade teabags for just £2. I also liked the fact that they sold sweet potatoes in 1kg bags as you often only find them sold loosely in most supermarkets. The small sized sweet potatoes also make them ideal for roasting. Most of the Asda own-brand products are good value and its worth stocking up on things like chick peas, tinned tomatoes, pesto sauces and pasta.