Grocery shopping is one of the first things Americans have to get used to after moving to the UK. We all have to eat, and groceries in the UK are similar, but just different enough to cause some culture shock. From bagging your own groceries to rewiring your brain to UK measurements, it can take some time to adjust. Even the name is different – in the UK it’s a supermarket, not a grocery store.
In this American guide to British grocery stores, I’ll introduce you to the major brands and help you avoid some of the common surprises when you’re ready to shop.
4 Ways Grocery Shopping in the UK Surprises Americans
For a country that many assume is similar to the US, there are plenty of little things that will remind you that you’re not in Kansas anymore. Grocery shopping can definitely be one of those little things. From shopping for your groceries online to wandering the aisles in search of a differently named ingredient, there’s plenty to keep you on your toes. Here are four of the culture shocks to expect from your first grocery shopping experiences in the UK.
1. You are more likely to buy your groceries online in the UK
The first time we moved to the UK, we did not have a car and did not live close to a large supermarket. The prospect of doing my normal American grocery shop and lugging all those bags home was impossible. Thankfully, I quickly discovered that online grocery shopping was easy and brought a delivery driver right to my door.
The pandemic made grocery delivery a bit more mainstream in the US, but I still think it is far more common in the UK. Even though we have a car and could easily shop in person, I use online shopping for the majority of my groceries.
While online grocery shopping is easy, it still has its challenges. For example, it can be difficult to visualize how much food you’re getting when it’s measured in grams instead of ounces. When we first moved over I ordered a pack of tenderstem broccoli to have with a family dinner. The tiny pack that arrived was clearly intended for a single person serving. Oops. Luckily, time and some trial and error have improved my skills on this part. Don’t be afraid to run a quick Google search to see how big that food item actually is.
2. Supermarkets in the UK are often smaller
There are some supermarkets that are close to US-size expectations. However, most stores have a smaller footprint by comparison. If you live in a major city, you’re unlikely to find anything larger than a very small Trader Joe’s. I’ve never felt like I can’t find a good variety of food here (other than decent Mexican food), so I don’t think the smaller size means losing out. If anything, American supermarkets seem overly huge when I go home to visit.
Outside of major cities, you can often find supermarkets that also include a pharmacy, homewares, and even clothing sections. Nothing is going to quite compare to Target here, but you can occasionally find something closer to that experience.
All across the country, you’ll find smaller corner shops sprinkled into neighborhoods. You’d probably struggle to complete a full grocery order in one of these, but they always seem to have a little bit of everything. Walking to the corner shop to grab a missing ingredient or pick up a cheeky dessert is one of those British things that I wish were more common in the US.
3. Your social class and your favorite supermarket are closely related
Ah, the British class system. You might not think of groceries as a tell-tale sign of where you are on the social ladder, but that’s how it is here. Waitrose has a well-earned reputation for being the posh person’s grocery shop. Tesco and Sainsbury meanwhile have staked their reputations on providing quality for a working class budget.
Telling people where you shop, or carrying a tote bag with your chosen market’s name, will affect how you’re seen. Ironically, I don’t think there’s a massive difference in quality across the brands. I can often find more obscure ingredients at Waitrose – they were the first place I could reliably find jalapeños, for instance. For most things, it’s just a matter of budget and personal preference.
4. You might struggle to find common foods in UK supermarkets
I could tell you a million stories of me getting confused in British supermarkets while trying to find the right ingredients. Here’s a few common mistakes to help you avoid my fate:
- If you want zucchini, look for courgettes
- If you want eggplant, look for aubergines
- If you want cilantro, look for coriander (the seed and the plant have the same name here)
- If you want ground beef, look for beef mince
- If you want all-purpose flour, look for plain flour (for basic use) or self-rising flour (for cakes)
- If you want eggs, stop looking in the refrigerated section – they’re out on the shelves (and you don’t have to refrigerate them at home)
The Top Supermarkets in the UK
There are lots of grocery store brands in the UK. Many people fall into what’s closest to them, though you’re likely to have some choice unless you’re moving to a very small village. Here’s what to expect from the biggest brand names.
Standard Supermarkets
The first four on this list (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, and Morrisons) are considered the Big Four in UK groceries. Any of these brands could work for your regular grocery needs.
Tesco
This supermarket chain holds the largest market share in the UK, and can be found all over – from tiny Tesco Express corner shops to giant Tesco Extra suburban stores.
Sainsbury’s
Similar to Tesco, this mid-range store will remind you of Kroger, Albertson’s or Publix. You sometimes find their small shops in cities, but they are most popular in suburbs. Most towns seem to have a standard Sainsbury’s nearby.
ASDA
Once owned by Walmart, this chain leans into competitive pricing. Larger and with more diverse products, they are a good alternative to the discount supermarkets below if you need to get a full shop at a low price.
Morrisons
Similar in price and feel to Tesco and Sainsbury’s, but this chain seems to have fewer shops across the country. I know people that love Morrisons, but have never lived close to one myself.
Waitrose
The poshest of the standard grocery set. I had to ask my husband to stop buying Waitrose tote bags because I didn’t want to brand myself a snob. With that said, people who love Waitrose really love Waitrose, and it isn’t impossible to find deals on their store brand range.
Ocado
This online only shop carries their own brand as well as items from M&S. Their store brand is similar in pricing to Tesco and Sainsbury. This is my go-to option for weekly groceries and I like the blend of lower priced and luxury items.
Co-op
This chain operates a lot of the smaller neighborhood shops sprinkled all over. You can sometimes find a larger Co-op, but they are typically best for that last-minute purchase or snack stop.
Discount Supermarkets
Smaller than any of the Big Four, these supermarkets promise low prices on their store brand groceries. Some people swear by ALDI and Lidl for everything, but I’ve never been able to rely on them to have everything I need.
ALDI
This German discount brand has a very devoted following. It can be hard to find everything you need here, but I do love to head here near the holidays for specialty food items and a surprisingly good wine section.
Lidl
Another German brand, many assume that ALDI and Lidl are owned by the same company. They actually have no official connection. Lidl also provides discounted prices, but a more limited shopping experience when compared to the standard shops.
Iceland
Not to be confused with the country, Iceland specializes in frozen and convenience foods. Obviously not the spot to stock up on fresh produce, but they do have good prices on what they offer.
Specialty Supermarkets
These are less the usual choice, but still popular for what they do well.
Marks & Spencer (M&S)
M&S is a department store that also happens to sell groceries. It’s a bit like going grocery shopping at Macy’s or Nordstrom. Their food tends to be high quality and some items, like Colin the Caterpillar, have a cult-like following. If you like their products, you can also get their food delivered through Ocado.
Whole Foods
The very same high-end organic store you know from the US. It is the full grocery store, but you can only find Whole Foods locations in London. Anywhere else in the country you’re out of luck.
Gorillas
If you live in London, Manchester or Portsmouth, then this newer online grocery delivery service can get you what you need in just a few hours.
Where to Find British versions of American Supermarkets
Sometimes you just want something familiar. If you’re looking for a grocery shopping experience that’s similar to what you knew back in the States, try one of these:
If you miss Target, try Tesco Extra
You have to get out of the big cities to find these larger stores, and nothing quite matches Target here. However, Tesco Extra devotes a lot of store space to home goods and clothing and usually includes a Costa Coffee or similar to scratch that Starbucks in Target itch.
If you miss mid-tier stores like Kroger, HEB, or Publix, try Sainsbury’s
Somehow Sainsbury’s is always what I first think of when it comes to the true middle-of-the-road grocery experience. Quality is good without being luxurious, and prices are neither cheap nor over-the-top.
If you want high-quality across a full-size grocery store, try Waitrose
I think a lot of Americans fall into Waitrose because it’s nice and you can easily find ingredients for your American recipes. It’s a good place to start, but don’t be afraid to try out other options for a bit of savings.
If you miss Trader Joe’s, try Aldi
Like Target, there’s nothing quite like Trader Joe’s in the UK. Aldi is your closest bet for a small shop that relies heavily on its own brands and has a very devoted following.
Visiting UK Supermarkets as a Tourist
Supermarkets aren’t just for UK residents! Whether you want a quick meal on the go or are just curious, go have a look around.
I love to visit grocery stores when I travel to get a little taste of what everyday life is like in a new place. If you want to try this in the UK, my favorite food items for visitors to try are crisps (American = potato chips) and chocolate. (Follow me for more health tips!)
Crisps come in some really interesting flavors here, so don’t miss out giving them a go. You can’t go wrong with a good cheddar and onion, and you should at least try the controversial prawn cocktail (these taste like shrimp cocktail sauce – you either love it or hate it).
Chocolate bars are never a bad idea, and British chocolate is delightful. Try a few different ones – it’s for science.
Planning a move to the UK?
Grocery stores may be a bit further down your list of stuff to sort out. Get started with this guide to UK visas for Americans. Then, learn more about life as an immigrant in the UK with this look at the pros and cons of moving to the UK and this guide to the differences between British and American houses.
