Battle of the supermarkets: which is best for students?

Which small supermarket is best for students?


It’s late and all the large supermarkets are shut for the night. Whether you’re after last minute alcohol, a quick ready meal or just plain old value for money, The Tab decided to find out which small supermarket is best.

Little Waitrose, Queen’s Road

Waitrose: high customer service, high prices

You know exactly what you get with Waitrose: high customer service and an excellent selection and range of goods, albeit at a price. Recent price-matching initiatives have reduced the price gap between themselves and competitors, but it’s hardly cheap. The absence of self-checkout machines means queuing can be a pain if you want a quick visit, and the Sunday opening times are short.

Opening hours: 7am – 10pm Mon-Sat12-6pm  Sundays

Alcohol selection:  5/5

Offers:  3/5

Ready Meals Quality:  4/5

Self Service Checkouts:  None

General Stock:  5/5

General pricing:  2/5

Sainsbury’s Local, Whiteladies Road

Prime location: Sainsbury’s Local

The closest of our five candidates to Stoke Bishop, and in many ways a miniature relative of the superstore at Clifton Down. The offers may not always be as strong as it’s low lying cousin, but this Sainsbury’s still offers a wide range of food and alcohol at good prices. Reliable Self-Checkouts and long opening hours make it a strong candidate.

Opening hours: 7am – 11pm everyday

Alcohol selection:  4/5

Offers:  4/5

Ready Meals:  4/5

Self Service Checkouts:  5/5

General Stock:  4/5

General pricing:  4/5

Tesco Express, Whiteladies Road

Tesco Express leads a strong charge

Located directly opposite Sainsbury’s and arguably it’s major competitor. Like Sainsbury’s it has a wide range of goods at reasonable prices, although it perhaps yields some slightly better special offers – though it’s marginal. Solid self-checkouts and decent opening hours keep it high, but sadly the ready meals aren’t all that great in comparison.

Opening hours:  7am – 10pm everyday

Alcohol selection:  4/5

Offers:  4/5

Ready Meals:  3/5

Self Service Checkouts:  4/5

General Stock:  4/5

General Pricing:  4/5

Morrisons ‘M’ Local, Whiteladies Road

Morrisons Local: Putting the M in mediocre

Morrisons starts well with long opening hours and competitive prices, but unfortunately that’s where the praise will end. The ready meals are by far the worst of all five supermarkets reviewed, and the alcohol choice is both limited and relatively expensive. The self-service checkouts are by far the most irrational machines I’ve ever come across, confirming that Morrisons is without a doubt the weakest contender in this race.

Opening hours: 7am –11pm everyday

Alcohol selection:  3/5

Offers:  4/5

Ready Meals:  2/5

Self Service Checkouts:  1/5

General Stock:  3/5

General pricing:  4/5

Co-op Food, St. Michael’s Hill

Co-op Food: We think anyway.

When fully stocked, which is admittedly rare, the Co-op offers an excellent choice of food and drink. The ready meals and alcohol are both stand out categories, both in pricing and selection. The products are generally priced more expensive than rivals, however extensive special offers keep the store competitive. Saturday hours let it down.

Opening hours: 7am – 11pm Sun – Fri, Saturday 12 – 6pm

Alcohol selection:  4/5

Offers:  5/5

Ready Meals:  5/5

Self Service Checkouts:  4/5

General Stock:  3/5

General pricing:  3/5

The verdict

Out of the five different supermarkets reviewed, there are three standout options: The Co-op, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s. Waitrose unfortunately isn’t a student’s best friend financially, and Morrison’s is only slightly more useful than a popped balloon. If the Co-op is local then it’s a solid choice, but on the other side of campus the extra opening hours of Sainsbury’s, and its familiarity through the student body’s almost religious use of it’s two larger cousins, guide it to a strong victory.

Winner: Sainsbury’s