Lidl Vitamin C
The supermarket industry has changed a lot in recent years with bargain stores like LIdl and Aldi now dominating the shopping landscape.
They have taken huge chunks of the customer base of the big four - Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons - with their value items.
And yet they still manage to claim industry awards for quality and taste for their own label produce, belying their knock down prices.
An astute strategy of low overheads and value by the German giants has forced those stores to rethink quickly to try and maintain their share.
Despite this, Lidl and Aldi stores have grown considerably and are opening new stores all the time, reports BristolLive.
But just why is Lidl in particular becoming so popular, and what are the best things to know if and when you shop there?
Here we take a look at what Lidl offers and just why its popularity keeps on increasing.
Why stores are relatively small
Many of the big supermarket retailers have vast superstores where you just know you're going to need a huge trolley as you traipse up and down the aisles looking for what you want - and being tempted by things you didn't really need.
But not Lidl. Their stores are relatively small - between 14,000 and 26,500 sq ft whereas Tesco has dozens of sites larger than 80,000 sq ft.
This has the advantage of cutting the time you spend in there as well as the amount you spend.
Every store has a bakery
In January 2012, Lidl launched in-store bakeries at its supermarkets across Europe. The breads and pastries are displayed at the front in baskets for you to pick up (use the tongs) and put in a bag.
There's no bakery in an Aldi store and so this move by Lidl has given it an edge over its closest rival.
Croissants go for as little as 35p, rolls for 15p, apple turnovers for 59p, scones for 29p and white bloomer loaves for £1.
There's no hand-held baskets
Most supermarkets offer the option of a full-size trolley for your weekly shop or a basket if you're just doing a quick top-up shop.
Lidl does have regular trolleys - but the only other option now is large 'trolley baskets' that have wheels and handles so you can trundle around the store like you do with a suitcase at the airport.
It definitely stops your arms aching from trying to carry a full basket but these pull-along baskets are large and deep so it looks like it's also a crafty way of getting you to spend more money
Most items are their own brands
Around 90 per cent of the products at Lidl are own-label brands specifically made for the company.
That means Lidl can control manufacturing costs and cut out supply costs, so it can charge less and still make more profit than it does on big-name brands.
For instance, we found W5 dishwasher tablets priced at just £2.95 for a pack of 60 - and they had been reduced to just £1.99 in one recent weekend discount event, compared to £7 for 60 tablets in Tesco's own brand.
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But you will still find some well-known makes on the shelves and Lidl has actually seen the fastest growth in sales of these branded goods - thanks in part to special deals such as January's first ever Big 99p event that saw major brands like Walkers, Cadbury, Uncle Bens, Heinz and HP on offer at that price.
Their own-label brands have won awards
Annual taste test awards organised by The Grocer compare big makes with own-brand products from Lidl and other supermarkets.
The 2017 awards for Lidl brands went to such items as pulled pork, slow-cooked lamb, piri piri chicken, cheeses, fishcakes, truffles, cookies, apple juice, smoked salmon and popcorn.
So food labels with brands you've never heard of doesn't necessarily mean inedible rubbish destined for your bin.
Awards also went to products from The Co-Op, Aldi, M&S, Morrisons, Asda , Iceland and Tesco and it's clear that all the supermarkets are upping their game with own-label products, which are no longer just inferior imitations.
Why products are displayed in original boxes
Most of the goods at Lidl are displayed in the boxes they arrived in. That means it's easier to restock and doesn't need as much manpower to transfer items on to shelving.
Prices are at the top - not below
Just like Aldi, some Lidl price labels are on the shelf above, not directly beneath the product as in most supermarkets.
So don't get caught out. It's not always immediately obvious what price is for what item, especially in a section where the same kind of product is being displayed.
In the picture here, you can see wholemeal bread but it is not priced at 45p despite the price label next to it. The price for this bread is actually 79p and that is displayed above.
It's top for fresh flowers
Lidl was named Fresh Flower Retailer of the Year in the Retail Industry Awards.
While the selection will depend on the size of the store, there are great-value flowers to be found here. The Valentine's Day roses are a good example. And there are lots of pot plants too.
There are regular limited time offers
Like Aldi, there are lots of items that are offered within stores until stocks run out, meaning a good deal of variety over the course of several weeks.
You'll find clothes, shoes, kitchen gadgets, fitness equipment, and tons more, all with limited availability and in many ways similar to the Aldi offering. The Vileda robotic duster (£19.99) caught our eye and would appeal to those who want to slouch on the couch while a machine goes up and down the room doing the housework.
This includes food deals too
Lidl has food items in its While Stocks Last sections too, including cheese, gammon, smoked salmon, fruit juice, pasta and sausages when we were last there.
These offers tend to be mostly on aisles at the far end of the store but it might be worth looking there first to see if anything on your list can be found at a knockdown price.
Why the meat is in glass cabinets
You don't have to do too much foraging for meat in the chilled sections around the edge of the store.
Most of the meat is displayed in free-standing glass cabinets, with red meat on one side, white meat on the other.
It makes it easier to identify what you want and saves on energy.
There are higher-end items available
If you want to pretend you're in M&S or Waitrose for a second and add some fancier foods to your trolley, then treat yourself to something from the Deluxe range like these chicken, wild mushroom and tarragon pies.
The regular chicken pies sound just as nice and it would be interesting to see how different the Deluxe products really tasted. Hopefully it's not just posh packaging you're paying for.
There are health foods too
Alternative/health foods do exist in Lidl stores but they are not plentiful or obvious. There's no dedicated 'Free From' section so you have to hunt around as you shop.
For the vegetarians, there's an exclusive meat-free range including cauliflower burgers.
We also found some smoothie kits in the freezers, packed with portions of superfoods such as goji berries and flax seeds to give you energy and vitality.
Breakfast options are available too
The hectic pace of modern life often means grabbing a quick breakfast - or at least one that can be made easily.
Porridge pots are one great option. At Lidl we found the Oatlicious brand at 39p in the same flavours PLUS an apple and blueberry variety costing a bit more at 45p.
To save more money get the boxes containing packets of oats in handy meal portions (89p for Lidl's box of 8 sachets in apple and blueberry flavour, compared with Tesco's box of 10 sachets for £1), though you'll also need milk and a microwave.
Best value of all (but not as convenient as pots or sachets) is a box of loose oats, costing £1.49 for 750g. You just need to pour out your own measures each day. For comparison, a box of oat sachets from Lidl weighs 288g.
Toiletries are limited
There is only a small section of toiletries, at the end of one side of an aisle. Don't expect anything special here.
But it seems perfectly adequate for everyday needs, with toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower gel, deodorant and other bathroom requirements.
But bargains can be found
We did spot some real bargains in the toiletries section. Replacement razor blades can be pricey but we saw packs by Cien (a Lidl own-brand) containing a razor and 25 blades for just £3.69.
Supplements are also pretty cheap if you are a vitamin enthusiast. Made by Minavit, most were 99p, with some at 75p and a few (omega 3, chewable vitamin C) at £1.29, along with glucosamine at £1.99. Aldi has a comparable range made by Activ-Max. These can be a far cheaper option than at dedicated health shops.
There's an online photo service
Another sideline is the online photo service launched in August 2013. Lidl Photos offers prints, photo albums and can even put your pictures on to mugs, cushions, T-shirts and shower curtains.
Source: https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/secrets-tips-tricks-every-lidl-16685213
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