Supermarket deliveries and collections
Just wondered if supermarkets in such as France, Spain, Germany etc offered a delivery service, or (probably more relevant for caravanners) the equivalent of click’n’collect services?
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I can only speak for Germany, but delivery services there are very limited. To my knowledge, the only well-known supermarket chain that offers such a service nationwide is Rewe (and you don't have to sign up to use it), but there may be smaller supermarkets that do so as well. As Germany has suffered less than most countries from the virus there hasn't been such a demand.
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If such services are under strain like they are big time in the UK, adding to the strain won’t endear you to locals. Surely if you’re able to tour abroad you can cope with supermarket shopping?
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Evening
I'm interested how having a supermarket delivery "won't endear you to the locals"? Either here or in Europe. Do you think they are stealing "their" slots. Surely if that were the case those supermarkets wouldn't take bookings from tourists?
During lockdown here we respected the fact that many vulnerable people relied on a delivery slot for their supplies so we walked to the local shop for our goods. Lockdown's over now!
For us, supermarket shopping in Spain is a far easier and enjoyable experience than here. Make it part of your day out and enjoy what different cultures have to offer in their shops. The sight and smells of some products are very enticing. Mercadona for example they have great fish and meat counters unlike we have here. Why miss that experience?
Have a good holiday whatever you choose
JK
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Perhaps a bit off topic but home delivery services from supermarkets was very well established here in the UK prior to COVID. They are even more developed since COVID. Glad to see my favourite German supermarket chain is leading the way again
David
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We have been in France since the 6th July. There is no need to worry about supermarkets. There are no queues to get in and no such thing as one in one out. The only queues have been at small bakeries where the shop generally only holds one or 2 people at a time. Since 20th July face coverings have been mandatory in enclosed spaces and people adhere to this 100%. Do not worry about shopping in France - it is the pleasure it has always been.
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As others have said the OP may have issues that would make supermarket shopping something to avoid.
For us any trip, being considered, would be out of the question if restrictions like that affected us, it has been very difficult for some people , shielding for example, to support themselves, but others may have a different opinion.
So far as the actual shopping experience, UK supermarkets have caught up but are still nowhere near the continental offering, in our experience and generally they are more spacious than in the UK so distancing may be easier.
As mentioned, if you like seafood you are generally spoilt for choice but much of the pleasure is the same thing that makes holidays abroad so appealing-the difference from being at home-staycations are great but I am looking at a very wet view at the moment and our first evening, out to watch live music outdoors-to avoid distancing issues-is now yet another cancelled event..
We have also noticed a far greater choice for baguettes in the supermarkets and they even sell some that are not a baguette on day one and a truncheon like offensive weapon on day two!
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Thanks. It was a theoretical question, as we consider factors which may influence at what point we might wish to take the van to Europe again. We do not have any special medical requirements (other than being in the older age group) but as is the case in UK at present, consider it wise to identify ways to limit ones exposure. The fact is, according to news reports, there are localised flare-ups of the virus in most countries, and who is to say that couldn’t happen where one is sited. Call it contingency planning if you like.
TBH, around our location in UK, I wouldn’t say the click’n’collect services are under strain, as one can book with various major supermarket chains at a day or two’s notice, especially if flexible about exactly when.
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Simple answer for France.. the E Leclerc supermarket chain has almost 700 pick up / collection points labelled Leclerc Drive - in separate locations from their main stores. We have never used them but noticed them everywhere we go so they seem very popular. They claim you can order on line and collect after two hours.
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I’m not sure if foreign supermarkets are taking bookings or not, but I think you answered your own question. All I know is that it’s still a struggle to get supermarket delivery slots in Cornwall. We shop for 2 neighbours who are screening and it regularly involves staying up after midnight or crack of dawn in order to get a slot 2 or more weeks in advance. It’s got worse since 4 July. The Tesco delivery driver tells me he delivers a lot to holiday camps locally, so I don’t think that makes our situation any easier. Hence my comment.
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Hi Ian, We are in a similar situation and also limited our exposure and distance wherever we can.
We have only ever used a delivery service once, to deliver a large amount of drink for a 60th gathering, and whilst we did look back in March there were no slots available till May so I just did all the shopping on my own.
However, we would never buy fruit and veg this way so, as its not readily available locally, would always be going shopping anyway for this so not a lot of point.
This also applies to click and collect and, whilst I probably just hear the negatives, other family members often talk about issues with replacement items which would be a no no-we want what we want, not something similar.ish.
In the situation euror has described I can only imagine how the conversation might go when trying to explain that you wanted a box of 180 tea bags-poor example I know-and not 180 boxes of tea bags!
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Even now, its still difficult to get a supermarket delivery slot less that 2 weeks ahead in this area. Click & Collect about a week ahead.
A&J, you can opt not to have substitutes offered.
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This also applies to click and collect and, whilst I probably just hear the negatives, other family members often talk about issues with replacement items which would be a no no-we want what we want, not something similar.ish.
When I shop at a supermarket what veg I buy depends on how good it is. Often I look at caulis and broccoli and then dismiss them as poor quality. When I buy a butternut squash I want to select one with a long neck and small bulb,
I definitely want to pick my own meats, as some at our local Asda supermarket would not keep the week well, and I prefer not to freeze other than when I batch cook. In fact I rarely buy meat from our Asda as it is poor eating.
As I do the cooking I prefer to select my own ingredients
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Bit off-topic, but Tesco have proved consistently better than Asda in our experience - better quality and fewer (hardly any) substitutions. My elderly neighbour is more grumpy than me and gives my wife a hard time when things go wrong!
Absolutely agree with all the comments about the joy of supermarket shopping abroad, part of the experience for me and certainly wouldn’t want to avoid it.
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Here at home in this isolated old farmhouse, with three freezers and two fridges, big deliveries of food are no problem. Tesco have been brilliant - they put us on their priority list of delivery slots as soon as lockdown started, and the best butcher in Cornwall delivers quality meat in quantity right to the door.
But when we are in France in a little Eriba caravan with minimal storage we couldn't possibly cope with any sort of supermarket delivery, or even a click and collect order - we shop at least twice a day, starting with the pre breakfast outing to the bakers before we even start to think of what we might buy for later in the day - roast rabbit in a mustard sauce from the rotisserie van in the market perhaps, or a double carry out portion of paella with chicken, chorizo and prawns from the traiteur? Decisions, decisions.
Horses for courses isn't it.
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Horses for courses isn't it.
Hi euror, are we still talking food options?!!
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Hi TW, I was vaguely aware, re substitutions, as our daughter, a non driver, has deliveries from Tesco however as we would always want to choose our fruit, veg and meat there is no point now and we only really considered it due to the benefit it would have given early days re reducing contact with people.
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Re Click and Collect Overseas Supermarkets. I have downloaded the Intermarché App for Click and Collect in France. Quite straightforward, very easy to go through the shop adding groceries to shopping trolley. Checking out seems easy with a good range of collection slots available. Having had online supermarket deliveries for the last 15 years I hate supermarket shopping so have decided to go down this route for our French holiday in September (hopefully)
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Given the grumbles on here about no slots for British Click and Collect I thought I would show how easy the French system is.
Just to reassure you how easy the French Click and Collect is I did a dry run on E Leclerc in a numnber of locations and in all cases was offered a large number of pick up times for this Wednesday. Looks like as with so may things the French can do this much better than British supermarkets!
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I prefer Brit supermarkets, when I ask where an item is the grunt & hand gestures are so much more refined Meth👍🏻😊
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We shop here in Eygalieres - unless of course it's Friday when the market rolls into the village. Both are enjoyable.
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Both agree and disagree. Used to like food shopping, still do in smaller shops. One of the enjoyable things about France is the Markets. Even the supermarkets with their superb extensive fish counters were interesting to visit. However, the couple of times we have ventured into larger stores here since lockdown there has been no pleasure in it, if you pause to long to ponder, somebody pushes past you to grab something. So since lockdown we have used internet shopping for all the non perishable / heavy / bulky items we can't carry and use the local butcher and veg shop on a weekly basis. We used them before, preferring them to the supermarket.
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They sure are Rocky, I went into the next towns 'Cooplands' yesterday and was met with an upward movement of the head with no words, I guess it was to say "WHAT DO YOU WANT", so refined
. I replied with a pointing finger to the so unhealthy 'four for a pound' sausage rolls
Shopping done with contactless and no words spoken.
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Just did my shop today. one supermarket on Monday and another on Friday. I have not queued more than once at one of them and I was third in the queue and inside within about 3 mins. I did pop to morrisons for something near start of lockdown and was second in the queue.
Queues may still be happening Friday and Saturday
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