[CTGirlNoMore]

Ha!

[itscolduphere]

Originally Posted by CT2Raleigh

Over the last few years, I have noticed that Stop and Shop has stopped carrying many popular items. Hunt's ketchup and Finlandia swiss cheese, for example. They also seem to have limited many of the larger value sizes of some items (I can't get a humungous jar of wheat germ, for example).

Between the lack of selection and the prices, I am starting to spend less time (and money) there.

Has anyone else noticed this?

I've noticed this at a variety of stores both in CT and in the south where I am temporarily located. Just when you like a certain brand of something, the "Product Elf" strikes. For this and also health reasons and a desire to try more new recipes, instead of relying on my brand of this or that, I am cooking from scratch more. (bake own bread, make own pasta and sauce, soups, etc.) Not only are you relying less on certain products, since you are mostly shopping for "ingredients" vs. processed foods, you can basically shop anywhere (and preferably harvest veggies from own garden). You will also reap health benefits and enjoy the process if you like to cook. Also try Amazon or other wholesale sources for cases of things you absolutely have to have in your pantry that are becoming hard to find on a regular basis in your local store.

[Jpierpont]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Xpect in Danbury (near the Bethel border) is pretty gross IMO. It's just a dirty store. I'm sure it's cheap, but I couldn't get past the lack of cleanliness.

Is Aldi open in Danbury yet?

Agreed Xpect is pretty grungy. I went once(the one across from BJ's) and found a pretty astounding deal on a tea I generally have buy offline. So it is likely I'll hold my nose and go again.

[SubieB4]

Originally Posted by CTGirlNoMore

This doesn't always work in my store. I tried that and someone went up and started scanning their stuff anyways . I had to call over the cashier to void off the items. People just don't pay attention or just don't care.

Most of the stop & shops I've been in have long self check out belts compared to the shorter self checkouts with just bags and no belts, so it's hard to go back and forth and depending on the time of day you can have that person start scanning before you are done.

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Hit the "No Barcode/Key-in" button prior to bagging. The screen will lock-up, so to speak.

Hmmm interesting...

[gilfman]

YES. I have to go to Branford to get my vegetarian meals (Quorn & Boca). The deleted most of the Indian section so no more spicey stuff and my pasta sauce; I am not using US tomatoes so I go to an IGA.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by gilfman

YES. I have to go to Branford to get my vegetarian meals (Quorn & Boca). The deleted most of the Indian section so no more spicey stuff and my pasta sauce; I am not using US tomatoes so I go to an IGA.

Check out Four Seasons Market while you're in Branford. Nice natural store.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Check out Four Seasons Market while you're in Branford. Nice natural store.

That's where I go for gluten-free products. A little pricey but I love it. They also have a decent hot/cold food bar.

[retiree2011]

Originally Posted by CTGirlNoMore

I noticed more S&S brand and less Mrs. T last week or week before......................

And regarding my other post about the ice cream, it clearly must've been due to a sale or unstocked shelves because this morning everything was filled back up again.

My Stop and Shop in East Haven has been clearing out whole categories of items at 1/2 or more off (small appliances, home office supplies, nutritional supplements, pet toys and so on). I wondered what was going on, as the store is large and that floor space would have to be filled with something. Now I notice a large amount of "Guaranteed Value" products with orange and white labels - cans of vegetables, tomato sauce, soda, and so on. Kind of reminds me of the old days at Pathmark with the no-frills aisle with the cans with the white labels with the stripe on them. The aisle was even labelled "no-frills". I have heard people are not so willing to pay more for name-brand items and so I guess they are just changing with the market. They can always change back if they want to and start carrying the name-brands items again.

[retiree2011]

Originally Posted by Brat1

Oh, I agree with you, it's an unpleasant store, but when times are hard then I have to suck it up and go in. I haven't seen an Aldi anywhere round here, I take it its' the same company as in the UK??

We have an Xpect in East Haven and the store is very nice as is the one in North Haven. Sometimes these things are a management issue. I go there mainly for produce and dry cat food that is cheaper than anywhere else around here. Aldi's is great for produce, milk, eggs, etc. And if you ever get a Price-Rite near you, you will love it. Great produce, first quality, excellent bread selection, their store brand yogurt is still 8 oz. Mostly Price-Rite brands, but for snack foods, chips, sodas, ice cream, name brand. I guess people will economize on real food, but snack food and treats have to be name-brand.
Aldi's gives you twice the purchase price back if you don't like their brand items, so you can't lose. It is worth trying an item once.

[CTGirlNoMore]

I've noticed also, that they have more GV items - and many for $1 only.