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The shopping experience in NYC is unlike any other in the US. If they were trying to compare UK shopping to US shopping, they went about it all wrong.
Agreed. Here in Chicago, we have full sized grocery stores in even the most in-demand neighborhoods. Sometimes multiple stores within walking distance even. That's also not counting smaller convenience stores. Due to that, I can't say my grocery shopping experience is even remotely close to being like the one in that article for NYC.
The author didn't want to compare countries. All they wanted to do was compare NYC (city only) and London.
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Originally Posted by Brave New World
I should imagine the US has a similar ranking according to type of shop, location, size and quality.
Any one want to make a similar US list.
It would be impossible to do so since there are only a handful of stores that are actually nationwide and advertise themselves as such. You'll find many metropolitan areas are still dominated by regionally specific stores and or former regional chains that have been bought out by larger corporations. Those chains that get bought out usually keep their regional branding and are still only in a specific area. For example, Jewel here in Chicago is owned by Albertsons, but you're not going to see Jewel stores outside of Chicagoland and the region immediately adjacent to metropolitan Chicago.
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Originally Posted by Brave New World
Not sure about the laws preventing the buying of wine in a NYC Grocery Store.
The UK has quite a few 24 hour and late night grocery shops in major cities, and many are well stocked, and there are also apps which promise you delivery in the hour.
It's useless to compare New York State's laws on alcohol with that of the entirety of the UK. Alcohol laws are state specific, and some states have further let their own municipalities handle them as they wish. Here in Illinois I can buy alcohol virtually everywhere any day of the week, including at gas stations. The time of day at which you can buy alcohol from these establishments is regulated, however. For example, I can't buy booze from a 24 hour grocery store if it's after 2 am here and instead I would have to wait until 8 am to do so again.
US. No contest. The Kroger in the small rather backwater town near where I grew up is on par with some of the most luxurious markets I've seen overseas. You also have an huge variety of places to choose from from Aldi to Whole Foods to upscale specialty groceries.
The standard of living across the board in the US is still light years ahead of all but the wealthiest parts of Europe.
us. No contest. The kroger in the small rather backwater town near where i grew up is on par with some of the most luxurious markets i've seen overseas. You also have an huge variety of places to choose from from aldi to whole foods to upscale specialty groceries.
The standard of living across the board in the us is still light years ahead of all but the wealthiest parts of europe.
My wife (Chinese) was amazed at the supermarkets in America when we went in October. She was blown away by the selection, quality, cleanliness, attentiveness of staff, etc versus a Chinese or Thai supermarket (the only other country she’s been to). There are higher-end supermarkets in China owned by Tesco called Ole that are copying the UK/rest-of-US style format, and it’s growing in popularity.
Between the US and UK, I didn’t see too much of a difference between suburban or urban chain supermarkets between the two. The NYC supermarkets they describe are closer to ParknShop, Market Place, or City Super in Hong Kong... limited space, high prices, not much fresh stuff and what is fresh, is expensive.
US. No contest. The Kroger in the small rather backwater town near where I grew up is on par with some of the most luxurious markets I've seen overseas. You also have an huge variety of places to choose from from Aldi to Whole Foods to upscale specialty groceries.
The standard of living across the board in the US is still light years ahead of all but the wealthiest parts of Europe.
This isn't just about Europe, although I totally disagree with your point about the US being light years ahead of Europe.
Europe has markets that the high end US retailers copy. Just check a high end cheese section in a US market...copied right out of Europe IMO. It has to be a high end store, because your regular grocery stores cheese sections are usually lacking compared to Europe, or even Canada.
A lot of this of course is personal experience, and everyone when shopping expects certain things, or are used to certain things.
Since it changes by regions as well, different stores will carry different items. When I am grocery shopping in Washington State ( usually for a camping trip ) in a regular grocery store, the things that I don't find makes ME feel that the store isn't as good. Of course a local will be perfectly happy with their store, because their shopping habits and expectations are different. I found this while shopping at Ralph's in Palm Spring last year as well.
Things that I notice in those US stores. Remember these are large chain stores, in comparison to my large chain, like Save On Foods here in BC
Baked goods. Truly good bread. Anything I've bought that looks " artesenal " was disappointing. Baguettes, forget it. Doughy and nothing like a real baguette.
Cheeses. I've noticed more imported cheeses in US stores, but still nowhere the selection I can get at a regular store at home.
Certain meat items like European Wieners. Very common here in Vancouver, and my preferred camping dog
...and of course...looking for the NO HORMONE dairy products is a hassle.
Indian food. We have a huge variety here in BC.
Now remember this is only about a few stores and my experiences with them. I have been to some wonderful grocery stores in the US. One in Portland is especially nice
One should also remember that these higher end grocery stores in the US and Canada, took a more EUROPEAN attitude towards shopping, than normal.
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