Cost of living in the UK (1): Supermarkets in the United Kingdom

• Tesco: It is perhaps the largest and most popular chain in the UK. It has different kinds according to the
• store size: “extra” stores, "metro" stores, "express" stores. They are very popular in London in its small formats (“metro” and “express”). Among the small size stores is the one with the lowest prices and everyday has half-price products. For example, you can always find 4 or 5 wine brands at 50% of their price.

• Sainsbury's: Its most popular format are small supermarkets (local markets) but you may be able to find larger stores (supermarkets) outside from the populated areas. It is the one with the highest prices, but on the other side it has some better quality products not available in the other chains. It also offers discount products, but less convenient than Tesco. Popular in London, recommended for small purchases or when you need a product that is not available in other places. When you want to buy a lot of products (weekly/monthly purchase), is the less convenient in terms of value for money.

• Morrisons: Not very well known in London but very popular in medium and small UK cities like Leeds and Manchester. It has no small-size store format. Only big supermarkets, no “hiper” or “extra”. Cheaper than Tesco and Sainsbury's, is the most popular outside London. In London, you won’t find many of them because of their size. They need larger areas not available in the big city. It is a very good supermarket and the one that offers best value for money for general purchases. You can find very cheap products (usually Morrisons brand) but also quality brands for the most demanding public. As Tesco, you can always find discount products.

• ASDA: Is the British Walmart. It has only big-size hyper market formats away from very populated areas. For that reason, you may never see one in London. My friends that live in London were not aware about ASDA until I told them. It is the cheapest. Recommended only when you need to by a lot of things, because you will have to travel some miles away the city area. If you don’t have a car, we don’t recommend it since the money you can save will be useless because of spending in public transport. Anyway, you can go there a rainy Saturday/Sunday (very common in the UK) for a ride, as they are very large and will be a good entertainment for a gray day. Moreover, they are generally on big retail spaces where you'll find other shops and fast food restaurants like McDonald's, Subway, and the ASDA food space with healthier choices.

Once in the UK we recommend visiting all of them choose the one most like you. With more experience you will identify which chain is more suitable for certain products. But there is no doubt that Sainsbury's has higher prices but better quality.

In other posts we will continue writing about the cost of living in the United Kingdom (UK) with other topics you should take into account when considering a relocation to live and work. We will provide a useful guide with prices for property rentals, utilities and general items in the UK, making the difference between London and the rest of England.