Originally Posted By smeeeko Not sure if this goes here.. but HURRAY! more options!! Tesco (the UK based grocery chain) has opened up the first of its many stores in the SoCal area.. This morning's LA TIMES has an interesting article on the opening, (as does I think the Orange County Register): <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tesco9nov09,0,5329083.story?coll=la-home-center" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/busines s/la-fi-tesco9nov09,0,5329083.story?coll=la-home-center</a> I haven't had a chance to go but folks are comparing it to Trader Joes and Ralphs (Kroger). There's going to be one in Fullerton, Anaheim, and Buena Park according to another Tesco article somewheres (I think that's in the Orange County Article) I don't know if this should be in Disneyland planning, or World Events so I thought I would post here for the first time since it's dealing with the UK chain itself and it's expansion into US Market. =P So, any local SoCal people check out the opening yesterday on your way home from work or whatever?? *bounce*bounce* I can't wait to see what it's like.. although there is a huge agreement that it has no tea biscuits or choco bars!! grr =P
Originally Posted By jonvn Trader Joes and Ralphs? Those are two very different stores... We have no Ralph's around here.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut i was thinking the same thing. Ralphs and trader Joes are nothing alike.
Originally Posted By smeeeko no no, like the article says "Trader Joes Meets Ralphs" sort of thing.. ok Albertsons whatever.. you are being too literal I think. The gist of the article is that it's got a lot of its own quirky and in store brands as well as a good mix of nation brands that people who are used to seeing are there too. Well I thought it was neat anyway. Downtown LA we are lucky to have the Ralphs Fresh Fare as an option along with the Farmers Market, but otherwise it's a long bus ride to Trader Joes in West Hollywood. In Anaheim the stores seemed to be all closing or consolidating. Anyway, if it works you might see a Fresh & Easy in your area I guess. It's just another option for the folks looking to get food when/ if they are visiting the area for longer than a couple days.. which some folks do (maybe this should have gone in DL trip planning..) It's International so I thought it might go here too.. obviously my sad little foray into World Events is pointless.. and WorldDisney is right. =( (which I thought he was anyways.. but I figured I'd give it a go).
Originally Posted By jonvn OH, I see. Well, that sounds like an interesting concept. As long as they sell captain crunch, I'm ok with it.
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo I do alot of shopping at Tesco as it is my Local Supermarket. This sounds very much like a Tesco express. (the self serv check out only and pre-pack fruit,veg and salad.) I noticed on the article some of the coments made about price differences States to Uk, it is wierd that they say so as when we come to the States we always find things much cheaper than in the UK and that is not just because of the exchange rate (although at the present that does ake a whole heap of difference). The reviewer states that avacados cost 69p in the UK but $1.99 in the states well for a start 69p is near enough £1.38 so only a few cents in it and then I checked this price on my Tesco online site and this is for what they call a medium avacado I doubt very much a medium size is classed as that in the States I have bought fruit when over it is bigger and far nicer as we do not grow so much in the UK you are buying far better quality. It is strange that they do not put 1 or 2 UK specialty like tea or Cadbury chocolate. (although outside US news is not welcome why should products be)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ya, Sarah is right, this is more like an Express rather than a real Tescos. But I have to say, I would rather have American products in the main rather than British (other than Malt Vinager, Scones, Yorkshire Pudding, British Bread and Cheese).
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <(other than Malt Vinager, Scones, Yorkshire Pudding, British Bread and Cheese).> And Devonshire clotted cream. I got addicted when I went to Oxford and I still gotta have it periodically.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh, the clotted cream is a must on the scones, with strawberry jam.
Originally Posted By alexbook >>It is strange that they do not put 1 or 2 UK specialty like tea or Cadbury chocolate. (although outside US news is not welcome why should products be)<< If Tesco is looking to compete as a full-service grocery store, and not as a niche importer, I'll bet you won't see anything in the store to indicate it's a British company. It'll be U.S.A. all the way.
Originally Posted By smeeeko ^well they have their store brand products mostly and then like the boxed and canned items I think are 'regular' national brands. I still haven't made it over there. man, clotted cream.. I just had that for the first time at the Twinings Tea Seminar at Food & Wine Fest. omg that was good stuff. ;P
