It’s been over 4 years since I moved from Poland to the UK, and although I spent a good chunk of that time at home (thanks to the virus), I still managed to soak up the culture and spot many little differences in the British lifestyle compared to what I grew up with in Poland. Today, I wanted to talk about British supermarkets specifically and the things that surprised me the most.
Before we get into my observations though, I need to highlight that the move from Poland to the UK wasn’t a major cultural shock to me. Partly because both countries are located relatively close to each other, on the same continent, and their paths crossed in multiple times in history, and partly because I’d been a complete anglophile for years prior to my move and learnt as much about British culture as I could without actually living there. That being said, there were still some surprising details that I learnt in the past four years.
1. Meal deals
First of all, let’s talk about meal deals. A concept I haven’t seen in Poland, which you’ll find not just in almost all British supermarkets, but also in major British drugstores, convenience stores and just many stores in general, where you wouldn’t necessarily go to looking for food. Is it a typically British thing or simply something that’s not widely spread in Poland? I don’t know, you tell me! A British meal deal is a mix & match offer that includes one main food item (usually a big sandwich, salad or wrap), one drink and one snack for a fixed price. The meal deal offers are generally a great deal in terms of price – the full trio usually costs around £3-£5 depending on the shop, and some individual items included in the offer can be near that mark if bought by themselves. There is usually a wide array of options and you can easily compose a delicious comfort meal or a healthy, balanced one – whatever you’re in the mood for that day. Meal deals are also really convenient on the go and a good alternative to fast food. They’re also a great option if you’re a tourist in the UK travelling on a budget – a restaurant meal, even a fast food one, will cost you much more. Just be warned, the most popular items will disappear fast, so make sure to grab your deal in the morning or you’ll encounter empty shelves.
2. Small grocery stores in London
My second observation is probably specific to central London. The supermarkets here are rather small, with “local”/”extra” versions of the most popular supermarket chains on almost every street. Large floor area supermarkets are pretty rare here, and even those few I’ve been to are a fair bit smaller than regular supermarkets in Poland. And although it’s convenient to always have a small Tesco just a few steps away from your doorstep, I definitely wish I had a proper huge supermarket nearby with a wider choice of items. After all, one of my favourite things to do in a new place is to discover new brands and foods, and there’s only so much stuff you can buy and discover in a mini grocery shop.
3. Self checkouts
Something I really like about British shops – not just supermarkets – is how good their self service checkouts are. Well, most of them are, at least. Supermarkets with a high number of self checkout tills are just so smooth and efficient and a pleasure to shop in, and the queues usually move really fast. Most of the self scan tills that I’ve used in Poland were really slow and laggy, so that’s a nice change. Of course, not everyone is comfortable with using the self service tills and stores should honour the needs of those who prefer a traditional checkout. But for me, an efficient self service till is heaven on Earth.
4. No plastic bags for fruits and veg…
Another interesting thing is the lack of plastic bags for packaging fruit and veg. I get the idea of bringing reusable bags, but if you forget one, it can be challenging to manage all of the loose produce. Some shops do offer small plastic or paper bags for that case, but I’ve been to a lot of shops which don’t.
5. …but an Abundance of pre-packaged fruits and veg
The amount of pre-packaged fruit and veg in British stores is ridiculous. With so many conversations about climate change and saving the planet happening around the globe, the amount of plastic wrapping used in the fruit and veg aisles of British grocery stores is insane. Whilst it makes sense to put small and fragile produce in plastic trays, e.g. raspberries or blueberries, and pre-sliced produce can be a life-saving for those with disabilities, not every piece of plastic wrapping can be justified. Selling whole apples wrapped in plastic seems excessive, it could easily be swapped for a paper box. Also, it’s worth noting that the pre-chopped fruits sold in small servings in plastic packaging are typically bought by those on the go, not those who are genuinely unable to slice their mango.
6. Not much beyond food, cleaning and toiletries (lack of makeup, sports, car accessories, electronics or stationery)
This could be due to the small size of British supermarkets, but I’m still a little disappointed with how little they offer beyond the bare household necessities like food, toiletries and cleaning products. Where I grew up, supermarkets were like department stores – you could find everything in them. Clothing, car accessories, DIY, electronics, makeup – you name it. And not just a shelf worth of each, but full aisles of those departments. Not gonna lie, it would be convenient to have that in British supermarkets too. You can still find random non-food items in British stores, but it’s usually a mere shelf or two per category. Good if you’re in desperate need, not great if you want choice and variety.
7. Lots of world foods, including Polish food
I was pretty amazed with the availability of exotic foods in British stores, even the small local Tesco’s or Sainsbury’s. I imagine this is likely due to the multiculturalism of the UK. With so many foreigners living in this country, supermarket chains want to accommodate their needs. It’s super convenient to be able to buy my favourite Polish food items in a regular grocery store. It also gives me an opportunity to try foods from other cultures, which is one of my favourite things to do.
8. not many weighed items (nuts, pasta, chocolates)
In Poland, foods sold by weight are fairly common in larger supermarkets. You may find loose nuts, dried fruit, pasta, cereals or wrapped chocolate sweets. It can be pretty convenient, as you’re not constrained by the sizes of bags of packaged foods – you can buy as much or as little as you need. It also tends to be a cheaper option. I haven’t seen much of that in the UK in chain supermarkets. The only store where I did see it is M&S, which is a high-end grocery store, so the loose food was still more expensive than pre-packaged items in cheaper supermarkets.
9. enjoying trying out new foods
To end on a positive note, I need to note that I’m thoroughly enjoying trying out new British foods, especially seasonal ones. Christmas season is particularly generous with options, and after 4 years of living in the UK I still find new items to try every now and again. Some of my favourite British foods include mince pies (I could eat them every day and not get bored), baked beans and Cadbury’s mini eggs. Marmite is growing on me too!
Share your thoughts!
And here you are, a list of 9 things that surprised me in British supermarkets after I moved to the UK from Poland. Do you find these things surprising? Would you find them in stores in your country? Or maybe you moved to a different country yourself and was stunned by other differences? Share your experiences, I’d love to read them!
Also see:
Alphe's Corner 
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