Which is better Tesco or Sainsburys?

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andyuk39@reddit

Late to this I know, but my thoughts are:

Sainsbury's offers the best all-round quality of the mainstream supermarkets, especially on own brand and 'Taste the Difference' food, as well as household items. It is more expensive than Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons, and I don't find the Nectar card offers much in the way of rewards.
Tesco excels at its large, Tesco Extra stores. It's more competitively priced (with a Clubcard), and you can probably get everything you could ever need. Quality is generally good, but it's less consistently good than Sainsbury's. I've found some Tesco own-brand items such as their own Cola Zero and some of their sweet snacks to be really horrible and cheap. Smaller Tesco Express stores are grossly overpriced.

Personally, I buy 80% of my stuff from Aldi or Lidl, and the rest from Sainsbury's or Tesco. I find Morrisons to be overcrowded and always low on stock, while Asda is just cheap and nasty.

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qualityvote2@reddit

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Time-Interaction2868@reddit

I'm coming to London in June from San Antonio, Texas, and I was just curious which of the 2 are more comparable to Walmart Tesco or Sainsbury

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Time-Interaction2868@reddit

What's comparable to Walmart? Like has groceries but also clothes, electronics and other things?

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Then_Concept7862@reddit

Tesco, every time. Just got back from the Lake District where the only choice was Sainsbury’s and I found a lot of the food quite bland and tasteless compared to Tesco.

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Street_Perception_43@reddit

Tesco is a lot better when it comes to stuff. They seem like they are happy working there and they treat the customers better than sainsburys

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theawesomepurple@reddit

Sainsbury’s has the edge with quality. It’s also a little more expensive.

Tesco is middle of the road in terms of quality but still costly.

I personally think a hybrid shopping trip of Waitrose and Aldi work extremely well. This is what I do.

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OriginalFoogirl@reddit

Quality of what? Branded products are the same, and their supermarket own brands will largely have the same supply chain. What do you believe is better quality in Sainsbury’s?

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theawesomepurple@reddit

The quality of their own brands, quality of their made to order pizzas, their freshly baked bread, their choice of frozen and fresh foods.

They have the edge over Tesco. But they are more expensive so you get what you pay for.

I think the quality of Tesco own branded food is inferior to Sainsbury. Apart from the Finest range and this is out of my price bracket.

I prefer Aldi for a general shop with choice items from Waitrose with the savings.

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BadCabbage182838@reddit

I found this thread and thought I could chip in. Although own-brand stuff will usually be made in the same places as other branded and own-brand products, there will still be variations.

My father used to be involved in making one of the products, and the place he worked in had multiple factory lines (the better ones and the shit ones).

The top quality line was made solely for M&S. M&S sourced their own raw ingridients and spices that were better quality. They also had a weekly inspection.

The shit line operated 24/7 and was made in volumes for Tesco. It contained the rejects from other factory lines, the source ingiridients varied and Tesco weren's as bothered about the quality control (although they still did safety inspections).

My father no longer works in that industry, he left a few years before Covid. And the plced he worked in only did a single specific product so YMMV.

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Disney-Fan-Paris92@reddit

Tesco quality dropped years ago and Sainsbury's have started dripping their quality over the last few months, with their Aldi price matches and "who says Sainsbury's is expensive?" marketing campaign. A shame really as I shop at Sainsbury's for the superior quality. It's all a race to the bottom of the barrel nowadays.

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aceimverycreative@reddit

TESCO.

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Significant-Math6799@reddit

Sainsburys.

I buy a lot of fresh vegetables and salad items and things like fresh kimchi or special/premium deli type stuff as a treat, or CBT drinks or different milk types or organic foods...Sainsburys just as the edge here- I can even get fresh lions main mushrooms if I want them! Tescos are still trying to flog oyster mushrooms like nowhere else knows what they are! The quality at Sainsburys is better and tbh I usually save money at Sainsburys for what I buy when comparing to Tesco.

Only reasons I'll bother with Tesco is because they have better options for the single portion bottles of red wine than Sainsburys (who seem to think people buying single bottles prefer alcopops than only wanting a single glass of red wine) or because they have better prices for chewing gum (in the bottles they're 75p more in Sainsburys vs Tesco). Tesco aren't bad, but I just know I can get what I want for more or less or more likely to cost me less for the same things at Sainsburys as Tesco.

But I'll usually go for Asda and Aldi first for a few things because they are cheaper still. Quality wise Sainsburys has got the upper hand on things though.

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SadSaq95@reddit

Sainsbury's imo but it costs too much.

Tesco is the most common and they.have the best lunchtime sandwiches (shut it!) but aside from that they aren't very good. And they are the worst in my area for the robbery tier prices. (And I don't have an ASDA to hate)

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Kimbob1234@reddit

If I'm doing the shopping, Sainsbury's is generally quieter & has some good offers if you have their Nectar loyalty card. I use Tesco for their Click & Collect service. It's convenient & they very rarely substitute anything. Theoyalt points with Tesco are good too. I save mine for Disney+ subscriptions.

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Efficient-County2382@reddit

Personally, I felt it comes down to your local supermarket, some Tesco's are great, some are crappy. Same with Sainsbury.

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Pebbley@reddit

Absolutely, all supermarkets say they have great deals and loyalty cards. But in truth, you would have to visit all of the major four to achieve a really cheaper food shop, all in one day.

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elementarydrw@reddit

This is the German way of shopping, that's why you have multiple Aldi and Lidl in towns. They want you to go to the nearest one for convenience, but know you only get certain things, not a whole shop. UK supermarkets want you to get everything from them, so entice you with some deals, knowing they will make the money from other items you buy.

I moved to Germany recently. We get weekly flyers showing the deals for the local supermarkets. My town only has 25000 people, but has 2 Aldi Sud, 2 Lidl, 2 Edeka, 3 Netto and a REWE. Not only that, different shops have different things, and sometimes different offers. We pop out shopping multiple nights a week, hitting a couple at a time. My wife manages what we get from where, and what is cheap, but still good, from different shops!

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shark-heart@reddit

This is the same as England.

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elementarydrw@reddit

No. It's not. UK supermarkets are enormous in comparison to German ones, and Brits will usually do a big shop at a single one. No one goes out on a Weekend to the big Tesco, followed by the big ASDA, then Sainsburys and finally Morrisons...

People may jump into Aldi/Lidl often to pick up bits that they can get cheaper... but that is because it is the German grocery shops changing the way Brits do their shopping.

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Gnarly_314@reddit

The only item I would make a special trip to Aldi for is the selection of dairy free hot chocolate. We have Malteser hot chocolate at the moment. When your offspring have a dairy allergy you have to find a chocolate fix somewhere.

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shark-heart@reddit

Well okay... in the last 15 years I have seen almost all my friends and family doing your "German shopping style". That is just normal over here, as far as I have been exposed to.

Now, I am from London, so my experience doesn't necessarily reflect that of people in the UK as a whole, but fuck me... does anyones??

I don't know a single person who does a full shop in one massive shop, coz everyone knows that is the LEAST cost effective way to shop. Idk if maybe you only know rich people who don't care or something but normal Brits are definitely doing more regular & smaller shops in a wider variety of supermarkets. Look at the data bro, it's on my side.

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elementarydrw@reddit

"Look at the data bro"

33% do what you say. 66% don't.

Also... how is London typical of normal UK life? My hometown has barely any small supermarkets - it has some corner shop/Tesco Express, and then 3 large supermarkets on the outskirts of town.

In your city, you will likely have a LOT more smaller shops. You experience is NOT normal for the UK, bro.

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shark-heart@reddit

i literally said that im from london and know that my experience is different because of that, bro.

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elementarydrw@reddit

You also said: "Idk if maybe you only know rich people who don't care or something but normal Brits are definitely doing more regular & smaller shops in a wider variety of supermarkets. Look at the data bro, it's on my side." Which is pretty clear cut.

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shark-heart@reddit

people on the poverty line will be shopping around. people who have enough money for that not to make a difference won't. i don't know what you aren't understanding here

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elementarydrw@reddit

You acted like it was preposterous that people wouldn't shop around. And then said the stats back up you claim.

I pointed out that it is different in Germany to the UK where I now live (which you claimed it wasn't) and then pointed out that the stats don't back up your claim as a whole across the UK. I have never said that nobody shops around, but that a majority (or most people, in other words) do a big shop in a single supermarket.

Why is it me not understanding here? It's clearly you.

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pintsized_baepsae@reddit

God give this man citizenship.

You've got it spot on, but I'm very jealous of your town having multiples at that size - that's definitely not the norm!! Love the love for the flyers though, it's a silly little pleasure going through them when I'm visiting home - especially since I tend to be there at high time for funny things being available in the Middle of Lidl et al, eg at Christmas and in summer. I often go back to London with some nice new sports kit courtesy of Lidl :D

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MJsThriller@reddit

My local Sainsbury's is better than my local Tesco. It has a bigger choice of quality groceries and ingredients. But Tesco is closer. So we go to Tesco

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Spillsy68@reddit

Agreed. Where I lived we had a smaller Sainsbury and a very big Tesco which had everything. The Sainsbury was near the train station and closer to our house so I’d pop in there on my way home from work to grab some stuff. But the weekly shop was at Tesco’s.

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impossiblejane@reddit

I agree with this. I prefer Sainsbury overall but the closest one to me is shit and the closest Tesco is decent. However if I'm travelling the nice Sainsbury along the motorway is also where I stop for a wee and collect shopping because I've been away. For me it all comes down to the cleanliness of the shop, the experience as a whole and the variety of products. I prefer a Tesco extra to a shit Sainsbury

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Gnarly_314@reddit

Personally I prefer Sainsbury's. Just certain things are easier to find in Sainsbury's than Tesco.

As an example we are not keen on the chemical sweeteners so try to buy cordials/squashes that do not contain them. I spent half an hour one Saturday afternoon reading labels in Tesco and found only one bottle of squash without artificial sweeteners. In Sainsbury's there is a choice.

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i-be-snoozing@reddit

Where I live Sainsbury’s is a better shopping experience. Modern spacious building, friendlier staff and nicer customers. The food is pretty similar between both. However the fresh fruit and veg at Tesco’s is better IMO

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Jayatthemoment@reddit

They’re both minging. The Sainsburys near me often has very little fruit and veg.

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omg_daisy@reddit

I grew up Tesco (I do most of my shopping in there regularly) and hate the smell of Sainsbury's locals (something to do with the bakery smell) but I must say that I do enjoy a Sainsbury's superstore they're clothing range is lovely for baby and they always have a good alcohol selection!

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peachesandcherries26@reddit

I really don’t like Sainsbury’s. We get our Tesco weekly orders delivered and then top it up at M&S and Waitrose.

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Holiday-Poet-406@reddit

My local Tesco is crap, my local Sainsbos is adequate, I prefer to shop at Lidl.

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Ordinary-Squash-6358@reddit

I prefer asda

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Eastiseast3@reddit

Sainsbury's used to be higher quality - and a bit more pricey as a result. Now it's more of less the same. The service at Sainsbury's has really gone downhill so I would say there's not much difference to other supermarkets

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QuirkyImage@reddit

As Stephen Fry once said on QI “ I like Sainsburys because it keeps the riffraff out of Waitrose “ obviously a joke

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QuirkyImage@reddit

A lot of the items are made in the same factories

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itsnotmyreddit@reddit

I think Sainsbury’s is slightly better quality, and a slightly better shopping experience, but it’s also more expensive. I think it tends to have wider aisles and be a bit calmer.

Tesco is still good quality and a nice shopping experience, but it focuses more on the big superstores with clothes and household/electronics than Sainsbury’s.

I’d say they’re both mid-range supermarkets. I imagine parts of what I’ve said will be controversial opinions.

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Coca_lite@reddit

Sainsbury’s is good in an affluent area, same as Tesco is good in an affluent area.

Go to a poor area and both supermarkets will have cheaper quality products as the customers don’t spend as much on food.

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martinbaines@reddit

This is often overlooked. The supermarket chains are very good at stocking for the local demographic. In a middle class area Tesco and Sainsbury's are not that different from Waitrose in the premium lines they stock. Go to the ones near the sink estates and you get almost no premium stuff - and there won't be a Waitrose there at all!

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YchYFi@reddit

It's Waitrose quality with Tesco pricing to me.

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EruditeTarington@reddit

Waitrose to me is for the St Albans mom who wants to buy class

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dizneyqueen@reddit

Not the ones I know the Sainsbury's feels smaller and the aisles are narrower.

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NoAlgae465@reddit

And our Sainsbury requires you to scan your receipt to get out which is so incredibly frustrating it makes me avoid the store like the plague.

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Hairy_Al@reddit

"Would you like to print your receipt?" "Please scan receipt to leave checkout area"

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NorthCountryLass@reddit

That’s crazy

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khobbits@reddit

I've not done this in the UK, but some of the supermarkets I've been to in Europe, give you a tiny barcode receipt if you click "No". You're saving 95% of the paper/ink/power.

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NoAlgae465@reddit

And then inevitably the receipt scanner doesn't work. Basically my local Sainsbury's resembles a well stocked prison.

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pintsized_baepsae@reddit

This has been common in Germany for a few years and I'll never forget how my cousin forgot to tell me about it and then stood just outside the gate laughing her ass off while I was asking the till attendant for help, half panicking because I thought he wouldn't believe me or think I was stealing, because I'd thrown my receipt into the giant bin.

He'd seen me pay so he let me through, thankfully.

They also no longer have a bin there. Every time we go to that supermarket, one of my family members reminds me of the fact that it was gone two days after my little incident. 😂

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NoAlgae465@reddit

Considering how green and recycling conscious Germany is I find it wild that this has taken off over there!

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pintsized_baepsae@reddit

Right?? The wildest thing for me is LIDL - if you have the Lidl Plus card thing, you can decide not to get printed receipts. But if you go to a self checkout, it'll print a tiny little stub with the exit bar code on... I assume it's because using a bar code in the app would somehow allow cheating (although this is Germany so it could simply be unwillingness ro adapt new technologies), but it still blows my mind. It's so wasteful!

The whole system came in when self-checkouts became a thing. Most supermarkets won't have a till attendant for them, it's usually the cashier next to it who keeps an eye out and calls for help if something goes wrong, so the gates are a way to minimise theft; sliding under them triggers a pretty loud alarm, as my niece gleefully demonstrated this summer. 😂

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HeyItsMedz@reddit

Weirdly enough I find ordering online from Sainsbury's is either roughly the same price or cheaper than the Asda nearby

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Xaphios@reddit

Agree. Sainsbury's is preferred, but not enough to cross town when Tesco is 2mins away!

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Haunting-Track9268@reddit

Absolutely agree. I live abroad now, but when I'm back, Sainsbury's is preferred.

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weaseleasle@reddit

The documentaries? Why are there documentaries about grocery stores?

They are essentially identical.

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_x_oOo_x_@reddit

Both are terrible I shop there when there's no other option but avoid if I can.

Are there really documentaries about them? I can't imagine what would make them interesting

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tmstms@reddit

Both are good middle market. Sainsbury's aims slightly higher and Tesco is overall the biggest UK supermarket for market share

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MJsThriller@reddit

Whichever one is closest. Sainsburys has Argos though which is a big bonus

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Platform_Dancer@reddit

Having lived overseas for many years I can say with full confidence British supermarkets offer THE best choice, quality, range and value for money (cost of living crisis inc.) anywhere with few exceptions. Trouble is most Brits take this for granted and are ignorant of the fact or blissfully unaware.

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Mossgrrrrl@reddit

This. I used to live in the Netherlands and their supermarkets are dire. The fresh fruit and veg they do have is often gmo and grown in greenhouses. Because of their population density they need to farm quite intensively. My mum used to pick me up from their airport and take me home for a roast and my god it was always the most delicious thing I’d ever tasted- especially the veggies. The fact they tasted of anything at all would nearly bring a tear to my eye haha.

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monkeychewtobacco@reddit

Agreed on the non perishables but the fruit and veg in British supermarkets are just terrible compared to supermarkets overseas. Meat and fish arguably the same although not really comparing like for like (nearly wrote comparing apples and oranges there lol).

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DevilishLighthouse@reddit

Most countries I visit have a lot more farmers' markets, independent bakers, grocers, butchers and fishmongers than the UK. I envy them.

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Mossgrrrrl@reddit

I really don’t get the love for Tesco unless it’s a megastore (which can be quite exciting). They’re expensive, they play silly buggers with their club card prices, and notoriously shaft farmers and suppliers with their profit gauging.

Sainsbury’s are far from saints in those regards and it’s actually more expensive but as a foodie I at least find I can consistently get the obscure curry paste or organic veggie/cut of meat I’m looking for.

Tesco does, however, do a better meal deal.

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Serious_Shopping_262@reddit

Sainsburys tends to offer more expensive brands

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cougieuk@reddit

Whichever is nearer really.

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Historical_Pin2806@reddit

I would err towards Tesco, simply because those are the stores nearer to me but if I was in a town where there was only a Sainsbury's, I'd use it without thinking about it.

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Past-Obligation1930@reddit

PS the correct answer is “there’s only one way to find out… fiiiiggghhht” (UK TV show reference)

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TheNorthC@reddit

I prefer Sainsbury's, but I never knew there were documentaries about them, and certainly not enough to binge watch!

Question back to OP - what is interesting or different about these British supermarkets compared to the ones you have in the USA?

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BuiltInYorkshire@reddit

I'll answer this as a Brit that went to a superstore near Atlanta with some locals to get some provisions for a camping weekend.

The beer section was the size of a Tesco express.
Live fish in tanks
The cereal section was probably anotherTesco express.

And guns. Don't forget the guns...

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Past-Obligation1930@reddit

Yeah, that really got me. Get your baked beans, spuds, cheese, and GUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNS.

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TheNorthC@reddit

Well, I would find that rather more interesting than a documentary about Tesco's. I went to a Walmart or similar when I was in the US some years ago and they actually had a gun section in the middle of the store. You can't pick up a 9mm with your cornflakes in the UK.

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Bernardozila@reddit

Thank god for that!

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AssCaptain777@reddit (OP)

For one your check out people have chairs, we don’t have that in the USA. Also I’m enthralled with these things called “hot cross buns?”

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TheNorthC@reddit

Hit cross buns can probably be ordered on the internet in the US. Suggest you also get some crumpets while doing it - they are amazing, and I think to a foreigner, even more mysterious.

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BritinOccitanie@reddit

Hot Cross Buns are a traditional Good Friday (Easter) fruit bun. Delicious warm from the oven. 😋

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AssCaptain777@reddit (OP)

What’s in them exactly?

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NorthCountryLass@reddit

I used to make my own, so much nicer. They are basically bread with spices and fruit and a pastry cross in the front to symbolise the cross of Jesus. I think some have candied peel in as well. Shop-bought ones have a sticky/sugary glaze but I never did this at home

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Gymrat1010@reddit

Mate if you like hot crossed buns look up the "bun throwing" in Abingdon. You will LOVE it.

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Extreme_Meaning_7566@reddit

Only available at Easter time. The last few years the UK have sold the traditional fruit ones, but have introduced cheese, chocolate ones… the list goes on. This year there was one introduced in M&S (a British food hall) called Dippy Egg. Based on a Cadbury Creme Egg.

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wildOldcheesecake@reddit

We really only have a few that have a standing nationally. Obviously preferences and such apply. In the US, there are a plethora of supermarkets. Some don’t even even exist outside of the state

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Past-Obligation1930@reddit

Depends how much you care about your personal data. If you don’t want a loyalty card, Sainsbury’s doesn’t totally murder you.

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EruditeTarington@reddit

Tesco is cheaper, Sainsbury’s has better quality

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Character_Concert947@reddit

Do love a Sainsbury's, keeps the riff-raff out of Waitrose.

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FuyoBC@reddit

I visit both. Sainsbury's is slightly more local and has an attached Starbucks, but their mince packaging is compressed & nasty. Equally I also shop at Tesco as I can buy Coke Zero caffeine free in 24 packs, which I can't at Sainsbury's. There is more, but you get the idea :)

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mlp66@reddit

“Sainsbury’s is a very useful supermarket chain, it keeps the scum out of Waitrose”-Stephen Fry

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Wise_Marketing1664@reddit

I kinda hate both they’re both mid and outclassed by other supermarkets like Sainsbury’s is a little more expensive but it’s in a weird limbo where it’s not an M&S or Waitrose but it’s not cheap enough to be an Asda and as for Tesco it’s just mid

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Verbal-Gerbil@reddit

I go to all. They have different offers and different own brand items, some of which are equivalent or better to the name brand ones

It’s a question of convenience. If I’m passing one and need something, I’ll go in, or if I’m after a particular product (eg I get my cordial from Tesco and stir fry sauce from Morrisons), then I’ll do a quick spin and grab whatever catches my eye

As a loyalty card holder with all, it also unlocks various additional discounts and offers

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GreatBigBagOfNope@reddit

Whichever is closer, or you have the relevant membership card to so you can sell your soul for 10% off chicken sausages and pesto

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elaine4queen@reddit

Tescos do that thing where they block off the daylight to have strong downlighting. Sainsbury’s doesn’t. I cross the road for the better experience

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NorthCountryLass@reddit

Our local Asda has installed those upright freezers with glass doors. Unfortunately, the lighting is so poor, it is hard to see what is in them without pressing your nose up against the door or opening it. The lighting in that large store is really grim

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wildOldcheesecake@reddit

This is my gripe with Morrisons. I feel almost ill shopping in there. The colours, the lighting and the general vibes are not the one.

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TooMuchBrightness@reddit

On Saturday mornings in our Morrisons they have a quieter hour (9-10 Saturday 2-3 mon-Friday) where they turn down the lights and have no music or announcements/noise! My elderly (neurodiverse and don’t know it!) parents love it! 😂🥰

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NorthCountryLass@reddit

Depends on where you are really. Where I am, the giant Tesco is slightly cheaper. They also usually keep a couple of manned tills open later in the day for those of us who detest the self-service ones. They do deliveries too and it is easy to book. I go to Sainsbury’s occasionally for if they stock something Tesco doesn’t and the quality is often better. Their clothes can be nice. They have more choice of some things. When I get to the till though and find a huge queue at the checkout while they are clearly expecting customers to use self checkout, I remind myself not to go there again

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tinkapiggo86@reddit

personally I prefer Tesco over Sainsbury's

but when shopping i normally go aldi/lidl as its generally cheaper

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Njosnavelin93@reddit

I prefer Sainsbury's for some reason, I can't really say why because I don't know why.

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danmingothemandingo@reddit

The UK lives to judge people based on everything from the car they drive to their clothes, their accent, the supermarket they shop at.

This is the hierarchy of UK supermarkets, if you excuse the top 4 there only having like 1 branch or so.

Sainsburys and Tescos being mid tier, but a fair few Sainsburys shoppers think they're better than those who go to Tesco. People here choose where to go based on a combination of "is it close to me/handy, is their line of exclusive products superior, is my car less likely to get dinged in the car park there, how are the prices, is it a nice environment to walk around and shop in (cleanliness, modern, decor etc) am I going to feel like I've socially leveled up or down by visiting there (will I be amongst the chavs, what will others who might see me there think)

Harrods

Fortnum & Mason

Selfridges

Whole-foods

Booths

Waitrose

Ocado

M&S

Sainsbury’s

Budgens

Co-Op

Tesco

Morrisons

Proudfoot

Costco

MAKRO

LIDL

ASDA

ALDI

Premier

NISA

One Stop

Spar

Iceland

Londis

Farmfoods

Heron

Kwik Save

B&M

Home Bargains

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BuiltInYorkshire@reddit

Where on earth did you get Proudfoots from?!

Had a bacon buttie from one last week for the first time in a while. Forgot how good, and cheap, they are.

(cue Google Search Trends "proudfoot supermarkets" going up!!!)

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danmingothemandingo@reddit

Haha they're kinda specific to the Scarborough region as far as I know, so just added in for fun really and to have the list as complete as possible

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BuiltInYorkshire@reddit

They had a branch at Withernsea which got sold to Aldi but that was years ago...

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impossiblejane@reddit

I've been seeing these videos of posh Spars recently. I always go to my local Spar for reduced bread. .19p bread is where it's at!

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Exhious@reddit

Good to see you put Booths on there. Not so well down down south as we don’t have any here but I try to stop at the Penrith one when I’m there for work (about once every other month) Absolutely amazing stores.

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stealthykins@reddit

Penrith is my local, and I absolutely love it. Their yellow sticker selection is great for meat, and the cheese counter is amazing. But they stopped selling marmite, and that upsets me.

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coolgranpa573@reddit

I live in a small country of 10,000 people we have a Tesco an Aldi and recently a Sainsbury’s at first it was a breathe of fresh air but of course they had everything but the profitability algorithms kicked and stuff disappeared for more profitable lines so now it’s a good corner shop and I do my main shop at Aldi and sometimes Morrisons which is 10 miles away.

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masonic_dissonance@reddit

The food quality on their own name products is way higher at Sainsburys. Tescos used to have a name for being the cheapest, but they lost that crown to the Germans, so now they are happy with mediocre.

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Intrepid-Account743@reddit

I use both. Never noticed any difference in quality or price, cos they all do price matching, but they each offer items the other doesn't and I have no loyalty!

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SataySue@reddit

In my area, Sainsbury's is definitely more expensive

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shark-heart@reddit

interesting... in my experience in london, tesco is definitely more expensive with lower quality produce!

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model-citizen95@reddit

You’re going to get robbed at both. Go to ALDI

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Accomplished_Fix5702@reddit

Tesco is slightly down-market of Sainsbury's but the difference is slight. Both sit in the middle ground between the German discounters and Waitrose. Tesco is probably slightly cheaper on a like for like shopping basket, with both you can make decent savings with their various loyalty card offers.

Personally we prefer Sainsbury's. We have a medium/small one, but only a Tesco Express. If we go to our larger towns 15 miles away we would go to the large Sainsbury's over the large Tesco's.

Tip for UK Redditors: One thing I like about Sainsbury's is that their tills still issue vouchers to people using physical Nectar loyalty cards. These often get left behind at the self service tills. Pick these up before the assistants bin them. There will sometimes be "£4.50 off your next £30 shop". They are supposed to be only for the Nectar that was used for the original purchase, that Nectar number is part printed on the voucher. But if you try to use it on another Nectar card it will work because the Nectar card number is not coded into the voucher's bar code. An assistant will always have to verify it, but they never tally the card numbers and will approve it. Sometimes I pick them up and use them immediately if I'm spending enough. The same applies to triple or bonus Nectar points vouchers.

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Sensitive-Vast-4979@reddit

Well Tesco is cheaper (from ym experience) and has better quality like I got veg and meat from Sainsbury's and it was shit quality but tescos is quite good

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AttentionOtherwise80@reddit

I have both a Nectar card and a Clubcard. Some things are cheaper with Your Nectar, and some cheaper with a Clubcard. Sainsbury's Taste The Difference gravy is better than Tesco, and Tesco cheapo peanut better is the best I've ever had. On the whole, I prefer Tesco. The new Aldi opening opposite Tesco in November will throw a spanner in the works.

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MrSpud45@reddit

As others have posted, it can come down to personal preferences. I prefer the tescos' own brand extra strong tea, yet will use use sainsburys branded milk.... Lidl's bakery though I find better than any other supermarkets though. They've had a rosemary focaccia for a while now which is great with soup or just on its own

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Ben_jah_min@reddit

Tesco is more working class Sainsbury’s like to have higher aspirations… but often it depends on the individual stores.

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Fickle-Salamander-65@reddit

Sainsbury’s.

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paulmezza@reddit

Theres only one way to find out.....

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Extreme_Meaning_7566@reddit

I tend to shop in Aldi as it’s near where I stay and just pick up bits I can’t get from Asda or Sainsburys, as also close by. You can save so much shopping at the German supermarkets (Aldi and Lidl).

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Reddit-Newbie-Sears@reddit

US/UK Londoner here: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S Food, Waitrose. In order of Not The Best to Best, imho. Best online is Ocado.

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RugbyGuy1525@reddit

Sainsbury's. They have better quality items. Tesco is so overrated

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Square_Peg22@reddit

There is a meat processing plant not far from where I live. I found out their policy is to keep the best meat for Sainsbury's. Guess where I decided to shop?

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Electronic-Stay-2369@reddit

Sainsburys is closest to me so I use it but will sometimes go to Tesco for certain things. The sainsurys is always less crowded partly cos the aisles are wider so it feels that way. During Covid Sainsburys did a far better job of managing the whole thing when I went to Tescos it just felt dirty. Although again the Sainsburys by me was better than others as a friend came to the one by me rather than her local during that time. Price wise people often think Tescos are cheaper but I;m a bit anal about these things (I do have a lot of time on my hands) and Sainsburys can often be cheaper. Loads of stuff is the same price cos they all do this price matching thing. I have loyalty cards for both.

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InternationalFold467@reddit

Sainsburys, much better quality imo

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wobblythings@reddit

Neither. Lidl for value and local greengrocers and butchers for quality.

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ilovechickendippers@reddit

Aldi

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Which_Yam_7750@reddit

I used to really like Sainsbury’s. Their store layout felt the most logical, good branded product range, usually quiet (older clientele), don’t have to fight your way around the supermarket.

That was 10 years ago. Moved area and until very recently there wasn’t one locally.

Don’t mind Tesco in a pinch but they seem pricey unless you commit to their loyalty program.

I use a meal delivery service now (Gousto) and the likes of Aldi, Home Bargains, and Iceland for anything else.

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I_will_never_reply@reddit

Sainsburys is a better class of food and clientele, not as good as Waitrose of course, but above average. Probably the best balance of quality and cost amongst the big supermarkets

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shineroo@reddit

Waitrose

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Legal-One-7274@reddit

It all comes down to the meal deals

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TheGrackler@reddit

Sainsbury’s I consider a tiny, tiny bit more upmarket with own-brand stuff. But flip-side Tesco are quite often l bigger and thus have a wider range of stuff that a Sainsbury’s might not. Really location dependent though.

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Captaingregor@reddit

I prefer Sainsbury's because it has better bakery bread than Tesco, but I do visit Tesco if I want cocktail sausages for picnics as the Tesco does those better.

My parents prefer Sainsbury's because one of the former CEOs of Tesco was a horrible person.

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Tyranid_Queen@reddit

I prefer to shop at Sainsbury's as I feel the food quality and shopping experience is better. My American friend loves Sainsbury's and she says it's similar to Target in the states, whereas Tesco is one up from Walmart (Asda here in the UK).

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shiny_director@reddit

For me, it’s always the closest acceptable option. Lidl is the closest, and I do go there regularly, but options are limited. I generally go to Asda, as it’s the largest close store with a pharmacy and most selection, but I’m generally not an Asda fan. Tesco is about the same distance as Asda, but it’s kind of a crap store. There is a Morrison’s that is on the same level as the Tesco, but no pharmacy (It’s not so much about having a pharmacy, although sometimes that is helpful, but stores with pharmacies tend to have a more extensive selection of medicines, toiletries, etc. There is a Sainsbury’s on the other side of town, and it’s mostly good, but awfully far away and no pharmacy.

It’s a complicated process.

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cvslfc123@reddit

Tesco mainly because staff can approve restricted products on the self service checkouts from behind the counter. Whereas in Sainsbury's they have to approve it at the checkout and sometimes you're standing there like a lemon as they take forever to come over

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ThrowawayYAYAY2002@reddit

Sainsbury's, by far. Tesco is dead and full of loons.

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SatiricalScrotum@reddit

Tesco is both dead and full?

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ThrowawayYAYAY2002@reddit

Dead as in outdated.

It's so far behind what Sainsbury's and Morrisons offer.

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lindsaychild@reddit

They are pretty on par with each other, though I do find Tesco to be cheaper.

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OriginalFoogirl@reddit

Tesco has a far better range of stuff than Sainsbury’s, it is also more reasonably priced.

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ZedBundy@reddit

Big Tesco for me

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NeedCake707@reddit

I prefer Tesco in general, I'm not a fan of a lot of sainsbury's own brand stuff

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dualdee@reddit

Whichever is closest to the way I was already going. Sometimes Sainsbury's, sometimes Asda, sometimes a little town-centre Tesco. Haven't been to Morrisons in ages because I almost never have a reason to be on that side of town, but I miss their salad bar.

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Chiccheshirechick@reddit

Sainsburys.

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adorabelledeerheart@reddit

Whichever is closest or more convenient for me. I don't really care either way.

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Odd-Comfortable683@reddit

Sainsbury’s all day long. Taste the difference range in everything is excellent. Far better for “cooks” who want atypical ingredients too - only Waitrose compares in that sense. Also, they give new and upcoming brands space to list in their stores, so good at supporting new / interesting brands!

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Viva_Veracity1906@reddit

Which one is closer and open?

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Embarrassed-Depth-27@reddit

I can’t believe you’re asking such a question.

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BrewDogDrinker@reddit

Tesco.

Sainos is more expensive.

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lechef@reddit

Stupid reason but Tesco over sainsbury's because I absolutely detest the colour scheme of sainsbury's.

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janner_womble@reddit

The biggest difference between the two is sourcing.

Tesco, whilst still selling the odd bit of rubbish, are lightyears ahead of Sainsbury's in terms of sourcing, and their Finest range is, imo, excellent.

Whereas, Sainsbury's became complacent after establishing their position as No1 in the 90s, and have subsequently fallen comfortably behind the likes of Aldi and Lidl in popularity according to a YouGov 2025 Q2 index - they aren't even close to Tesco.

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dolphineclipse@reddit

I'm really surprised how many people here prefer Sainsbury's, as I find the food there quite low-quality - I guess it depends what items you tend to buy

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WildCulture8318@reddit

Sainsburys I have had a weekly shop delivered for around 15 years

It used to tesco but i swapped as they did some shady things, including this

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/26/tesco-ordered-change-deal-suppliers

"Tacon said Tesco had “acted unreasonably” by delaying payments to suppliers, often for lengthy periods and sometimes deliberately to support its profits ahead of key financial reporting periods. For example, a list of methods for meeting a half-year profit target seen by Tacon included “not paying back money owed”. "

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miss_lottielou@reddit

For myself personally shopping and not taking into account prices and quality of goods, we go to Sainsbury ( and Morrisons) over Tesco.

To be fair tho Sainsbury is a newer bigger shopping area than Tesco which has been around 20 years compared to Sainsburys 3.

Even though it happened years ago, Tesco first words association for my family is the Horse meat scandal so don't really trust them.

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BuiltInYorkshire@reddit

Oh come on, their meat balls were the dogs bollocks!

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rxllersrxghts@reddit

I have a Tesco extra near me and I love it, mainly because their baby clothes are insane quality without insane prices, haven’t shopped at Sainsbury’s in years but they have Argos so I’m assuming they’ve gone uphill

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Open-Difference5534@reddit

I use Tesco because it's the nearest to home, I have used Sainsburys in the past and the difference is minimal.

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Happy_fairy89@reddit

Tesco offers me this pretty great subscription where I pay £7 a month and in return I get 10% off two in store shops a month. With a family of four, I do two big shops a month and get 10% off over a hundred pounds with so I’m making back my £7 quite easily.

Is is a scam? It has to be- but I can’t make them lower the prices so I’ll take it.

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Radiant_Chart3163@reddit

Sainsbury's is better for quality but costs slightly more than Tesco.

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AlbionRemainsXIV@reddit

Sainsbury's is better

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FancyMigrant@reddit

In terms of the hierarchy where fresh produce supply chains are concerned, Sainsbury's is above Tesco.

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Halfdanr_H@reddit

I slightly prefer Tesco because they stock a few certain items that I can’t get in Sainsbury’s and that my local Asda doesn’t stock at all. Morrison’s stocks the brand of tea I like best, which is unavailable in the others, so if I want those specific things I must go to Tesco or Morrison’s, otherwise I go to my local Asda or Sainsbury’s

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trysca@reddit

Tescos is supposedly aimed at working class andi Sainsbury's middle. Tescos is my preferred on the whole as their range better reflects what I eat, and their discounts are incredible. Sainsbury's has better range, but the quality of produce isn't always great, especially baked goods. Waitrose is far and away the best but also the priciest.

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BigJDizzleMaNizzles@reddit

I go to Sainsbury's. I just think they have the kind of stuff that I want.

Supermarkets know their customers. Our local Sainsbury's has lots of stuff that our local Asda doesn't and vice versa. Asda is very much more geared to working class, lower income families so as such turkey dinosaurs and mini potato waffles are from Asda. Red onion and cranberry chutney is from Sainsbury's and never the twain shall meet.

I know the question asked about tesco and I went on about Asda but I get the impression that our local tesco positions itself in the gap between Asda and Sainsbury's.

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toonlass91@reddit

I live next to tesco and Morrisons so that’s what I use. There is a Sainsbury’s local that’s open late on Sundays that I’ll use if I forget anything late on Sunday. Generally depends what is near for a lot of people

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rosstoferwho@reddit

Can't believe the amount of people who prefer Sainsbury's. It's absolutely crap. Lidl quality products for Waitrose prices.

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KatVanWall@reddit

Whichever is closer tbh! I live near à Tesco, so it’s that one.

My local Sainsbury’s is much bigger that my local Tesco (which barely has a home department at all), but I have to get in the car and drive to it, so I’d rather not. I only go there for children’s clothes/shoes and for gluten-free pork pies from the chilled section.

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AlgaeFew8512@reddit

I went to Sainsbury's for the first time ever a few weeks back. Worst supermarket I've ever been to. Narrow aisles, disorganised chaos, empty shelves. It felt old and uncared for. And stupidly expensive.

I go to Tesco semi-regularly and it always feels vibrant, well-stocked, modern etc. prices are a bit high but no more than anywhere else these days.

I think Tesco is better based on that but it could just be that the Sainsbury's I went to was a particularly bad one and not representative of the when brand

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MrsMigginsOldPieShop@reddit

There's a 'big' Tesco near me and and a 'big' Sainsbury's, slightly further away. Each has a massive car park so it's never an issue getting parked. Both are fine. I can pretty much do a whole shop in either. Sainsbury's always seems to be a slightly better quality store but Tesco is usually a bit cheaper. The aisles are a bit wider in Sainsbury's which makes it feel more comfortable. Sainsbury's also seems a bit cleaner and more polished. The staff also seem a bit better trained in Sainsbury's. If you were ranking the stores in terms of 'class' then Sainsbury's is above Tesco, in my neck of the woods anyway. All that said, I tend to visit Tesco more than Sainsbury's. It's a bit closer and a bit cheaper.

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Shyspin@reddit

Given the choice of the two I prefer Sainsbury's. I think there's a more interesting range in a large Sainsbury's than a Tesco - Sainsbury's is probably the top tier of the mid-range supermarkets. For the full benefit of shopping in either though, have a clubcard for Tesco and a Nectar card for Sainsbury's.

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Free-Question-1614@reddit

I'll always prefer sainsburys but that may be because of nostalgia tbh

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PastorParcel@reddit

I would say Sainsbury's is slightly better quality, and a slightly nicer shopping experience, but also slightly more expensive.

Tesco meals deals are slightly better in my opinion, but I prefer Sainsbury's clothes. It really marginal.

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Sasspishus@reddit

My nearest Sainsburys is about a 2 hour drive away . I have a Tesco round the corner which I use for top up shops but I do the big shop in Morrisons

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shadowdance55@reddit

Waitrose

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Erheniel@reddit

Price wise I think both are comparable, I generally spend the same amount in both. I do prefer Sainsburys for the shopping experience, as the aisles are wider and my local one is a bit quieter than my local Tesco.

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graeme_1988@reddit

Sainsbury’s is far better imo

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Zentavius@reddit

Both are too pricey. I'd visit Aldi or Lidl.

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Infamous-Sherbert-32@reddit

I very rarely use either. I prefer Waitrose or Marks and Spencer, both of which I think have better products than Tesco or Sainsburys. Handily Waitrose and M and S are both near to where I live.

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NotMyFirstChoice675@reddit

Pft I only shop in Harrods food Hall and Fortnum and Mason /s

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AffectionateLion9725@reddit

I send the maid to those places.

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Flamingo242@reddit

Pah, I live solely off grouse and other produce from my estate

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M3nd3l33v@reddit

Important to note that both are noticeably more expensive than Tesco's or Sainsbury's.

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PetersMapProject@reddit

Waitrose isn't nearly as expensive as people make out.

The basics like milk are the same price as they are anywhere, and the branded products are about the same too.

Sure, you can find some more expensive products, but you can usually identify why they're better quality and therefore more expensive. They also don't stock the lowest quality produce - for instance they only stock free range eggs and outdoor bred pork - so if you're looking to save money by compromising on animal welfare then it's not the supermarket for you.

Would I go there if I was trying to save every penny? No. But I do think the whole "Waitrose is expensive" thing is overblown.

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lagoon83@reddit

I think a lot more people rely on the "lowest quality produce" than you might think. When you compare it to Lidl or Aldi, which a lot of people use for their staples, it's a noticeable difference.

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Platform_Dancer@reddit

Handy for parking your top of the range Range Rover in two spaces as well!

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Altruistic_Grocery81@reddit

Feel like Sainsbury’s has better produce and more reliable meat products.

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ZBD1949@reddit

Sainsbury's is my go to only because it's about 400m away and I can push the trolley home.

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Ok-Specific2924@reddit

Of the two Sainsburys, mostly because my local tesco is a semi-warzone.

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purplefriiday@reddit

I live closest to an Aldi, Sainsbury's and a Tesco in that order, but all within 5 minutes.

My local Sainsbury's is old, dark and a horrible experience. When we first moved here we tried making it our main shop but the fruit and veg was poor quality (either severely underripe or going off very quickly) and the bread sucked.

My local Tesco is massive, and the food is better quality. We go to Aldi first to get as much as we can and then get a few branded bits from Tesco) that are unavailable in Aldi), but sometimes do a full shop in Tesco if we're in a rush. I mostly only go to Sainsbury's for the Argos inside, homeware and baby clothes.

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Status_Accident_2819@reddit

I personally think sainos is better but I've been to some places where big Tescos just is better. And I won't specifically make a journey to Sainos of tescos is closer

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PipBin@reddit

Historical Sainsbury’s was the higher end store. The joke was that Sainsbury’s kept the riff-raff out of Waitrose. Tesco used to be seen as more budget and ‘working class’.

However Tesco upped their game and became better and Sainsbury’s extended their range and dropped prices.

FWIW when William and Kate lived nearby they were often seen shopping in Tesco.

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Fresh-Research3450@reddit

I prefer Sainsbury's, it's a tiny bit more expensive but not much,you get good deals with their nectar rewards card and their own brand stuff is really good.

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Flamingo242@reddit

In Sainsbury’s they have a scanner thingy so you can your shopping and pack it as you go. You get to go to a special check out, they still come and id you for alcohol and they do random spot checks to check for shop lifting but it’s honestly the least stressful way to shop ever. They may do this in tescos but not where I live

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davus_maximus@reddit

Neither, they're very expensive. Lidl or Aldi are far cheaper and cater for the majority of my fortnightly shop.

Sainsbury's doesn't seem yo attract the dipshit crowd like Tesco's does though. Tesco drives me crazy when I do end up in there. People parking trolleys sideways across the aisles, or abandoning them in the middle. People barging around the car park. Morons wittering with the checkout staff over nothing. Did I mention it's expensive, too?

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Logical_Plankton640@reddit

Aldi 😀

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Lemmyheadwind@reddit

Both fund the Conservative party so I avoid shopping at either as much as possible

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gypsyjackson@reddit

Tesco says it doesn’t make political donations, and its Chief Executive stated he believed Labour’s economic policy was better than the Tories ahead of the last election.

https://www.tescoplc.com/sustainability/documents/policies/tesco-s-political-donations-policy-statement

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Lemmyheadwind@reddit

From memory, the Tesco heiress Dame Shirley Porter (who fled to Israel after the Westminster Council scandal she was responsible for was exposed) was Tory leader of the council. This was 20+ years ago

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dizneyqueen@reddit

It depends on which big ones you have near you, if you drive etc. I am loyal to Tescos for food but I know the clothes are better in Sainsbury's and Asda. Sainsbury's is more expensive for not that much of a better product. The big Tescos near me has better choice and bigger aisles than the Sainsbury's so we like it more.

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Robmeu@reddit

There’s not much difference anymore. When I was a kid the only Tesco we had was rather dim and a little grubby. When we got a Sainsbury’s it was big, modern and bright, so perception in my mind was that Tesco was a bit low end.

Now I’ll go to either with a slightest (completely unfounded) perception that Sainsbury’s is bit more expensive. Tesco is murderous if you forget your Clubcard, which is shameful in my mind.

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Agile_Figure_4634@reddit

Tesco was king in the late 90s/early 00s but Sainsburys has been better quality for going on 20+ years now.

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AlGunner@reddit

I have a food intolerance to corn. There are about 200 food additives made from corn and they are generally used in poorer quality food. Tesco use a lot lot more of these additives so I shop at Sainsbury's.

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Slight-Brush@reddit

Sainsbury’s bacon is better. Tesco home shopping interface is better. Both their ras al hanout is awful.

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Orca-stratingChaos@reddit

In my experience, Tesco is slightly better quality, but also slightly more expensive. We shop Sainsbury’s because it’s cheaper. Although, Tesco has a better rewards system.

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SnooDonuts6494@reddit

There's not much difference at all.

Sains is possibly slightly better, Tesco slightly cheaper.

Nothing unique about either. It mostly depends on which is closer/open/bigger.

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General-Movie@reddit

Waitrose and M&S then Sainsbury's.

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RevolutionaryAd581@reddit

Historically, Tesco was the more budget option, and Sainsbury's was more "premium", however as time passed, Sainsbury's hasn't done the best job of maintaining quality, and Tesco undergone massive growth in both size and quality, so I'd say they're about on a par now... your "budget" options are the likes of Lidl, aldi, Morrisons and Asda... in the middle you have Tesco and Sainsbury's, then in the "premium" category you have Waitrose and M&S.

I would say though a lot of it will come down to where you live... in my city we have 2 quite old and tired Sainsbury's stores, and one exceptional Tesco... I guess there must be cities where they have a nice new Sainsbury's and a dodgy old Tesco! 🤷🏻

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Last-Deal-4251@reddit

I prefer Lidl over Sainsbury’s and Tesco. I used to shop in M&S but since their cyber attack, getting food that has more than 1-2 days date seems impossible.

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HandToeKneeUK@reddit

Either or tbh

I have 2 meals deals per day, breakfast and lunch.

I'll normally head to a tesco for my breakfast meal deal plus a banana for scale.

If there is a Sainsburys local for lunch, then I'll go with that as the prawn / salmon £5 meal deal sandwiches are top tier.

If I'm doing a 'big shop' then I've a Tesco Extra very close and use that.

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MegaMolehill@reddit

I used to be that Sainsbury’s was somewhat more expensive than Tesco but better quality. I don’t feel there is a lot in it anymore.

Personally I shop in Sainsbury’s as my local one has wider aisles and slightly less irritating people in it.

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Platform_Dancer@reddit

For quality - Sainsbury's.

Tesco pricing is punitive if you don't use their club card...and I mean punitive! 👀

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Electronic_Cream_780@reddit

Sainsbury's is ridiculously expensive. I went there for a change a couple of months ago and left with about 5 things because I refused to pay for everything else!

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Kent_biker@reddit

There's a Tesco closer to me than a Sainsbury, I shop at Sainsbury. Enough said

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tenaji9@reddit

Both provide 2 tier pricing. Heavy discounts if you sign up for loyalty card . I choose not to be loyal or provide data. I sometimes use Sainsbury as is local. I then only buy price matched items. I notice Sainsbury prices are significantly higher than most other stores .

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Adventurous_Rock294@reddit

I shop in both and like both. I think you get more deals with Tesco clubcard. Tesco reductions are much better than Sainsburys.

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Reasonable_Blood6959@reddit

I recently moved about 20 minutes drive from my old place. At my old place Sainsbury’s was closest, now it’s Tesco. (Technically it’s a Waitrose, but it’s a very small one, with very limited product range, so find myself struggling to get everything I want/need)

Solely on my experience. The Sainsbury’s aisles and middle lane are wider, so they’re far less cramped, and the layout is better. I tended to get better bonus Nectar vouchers from Sainsbury’s . I like the fact it has an Argos in it, and they have a better Scan as You Shop:basket self checkout:trolley self checkout to till ratio, and they actually enforce people going through the correct lines so you don’t have idiots with a full trolley in the basket section slowing the queue down because they have to repack everything/keep having the attendant over to verify.

Flip side, the Tesco has a Pharmacy which I have to use often, its open longer hours, and I don’t have to pointlessly print a receipt to leave the shop.

As there’s no discernible difference in quality or price, I go to Tesco because the downsides are big enough to offset the extra drive.

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AlternativePrior9559@reddit

I love documentaries like that, I’d love to see one on Walmart or Costco! I think it very much depends which is your nearest supermarket and how good it is in terms of size, choice and quality. In London I used to have a very good Sainsbury’s but when I moved I changed to a mega size Tesco. I used to prefer Sainsbury’s, because they did an amazing salad bar! But I doubt there’s much difference really anymore