Somerfield - great for 'top up' shops (Somerfields)

Member Name: kappari

Product:	Somerfields
Date:	10/10/08 (169 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Small friendly stores, good special offers

Disadvantages: Need £1 for trolley - no loyalty scheme

Somerfield is not where I do my 'weekly' main shop and I would never contemplate getting the whole of my shopping from there. However, when I run out of items in the middle of the week I usually pop to Somerfield.

There are a number of reasons I go there.

Firstly, it is on the edge of the town where I live - only 5 minutes in the car and nearer than all the other supermarkets.

Secondly, it is always easy to park there (as they never seem to have too many customers!)

Thirdly, the store is just about the right size - not too big and not too small. Ideal for a quick run around and reccy in 15 minutes.

Fourthly, the milk is usually cheaper than anywhere else (apart from Iceland).

Finally, there are usually some very good offers on - buy one - get one free etc... It is usually possible to find cereal on offfer and many meat products at bargain prices too.

Here are just a selection of their current offers to show the bargains that are to be had in Somerfield.

Hartley's Best Jam - All Varieties £1.25 each - buy one get one free

Cadbury - Dairy Milk / Fruit & Nut / Whole Nut / Caramel
was £1.55 - only £1 each

Jacob's Biscuits For Cheese Selection was £3.99 now £1.99

McVitie's Mini - Milk Chocolate Digestives / Milk Chocolate
HobNobs - 6 Pack - half price - was £1.37 now 68p

Nescafé Original Coffee - 240g - was £4.14 now only £3

Pepsi / Pepsi Max / Pepsi Diet - 2 Litres - £1.42 each - buy one get one free

At the time of writing Somerfield's are encouraging customers to reuse plastic bags. They will give you a free 'bag for life' if you take 5 old carrier bags in to the store.

Usually most of their offers are at the end of the aisles so that you can quickly spot them...also they have good posters showing their special offers as well as a leaflet.

They also have some very good 'reduced prices' on items approaching their 'sell by' date.

The downside of Somerfields is that some of their staple items can be expensive... I try to avoid getting these. This is one of the main reasons that I don't do all of my shopping there.. Also they do not offer any 'loyalty' schemes. Another drawback is that their trolleys require £1 coins - which can be a bit of a nuisance if you haven't got one...

The staff are always very friendly and helpful...you can always have a bit of a chat or a banter with them. i also like the free magazine they produce which contains a lot of super recipes.

Overall, I do enjoy my little quick trips to Somerfield and would be 'lost' without it. i find tesco's and sainsbury's just too big and daunting for 'top up' shops...and the local Tesco Express is always so very busy and I cannot always park there.

Summary: A handy supermarket - I would miss it if it 'went'