Best supermarkets in London: Where to go grocery shopping?

London is a city as diverse as it’s dynamic, and this variety is also reflected in its supermarkets and food stores. Here, you can find everything from large chains like Tesco or Sainsbury’s, known for their convenience and promotions, to budget-friendly options like Aldi and Lidl, popular for their low prices. If you’re looking for gourmet quality, chains like Waitrose and Marks & Spencer Foodhall offer fresh and premium products, while specialist stores like Planet Organic or Whole Foods are a paradise for those who prefer healthy and organic options.

Furthermore, if you plan to live and work in London, understanding the supermarket offerings is key to organising your budget and adapting to the city’s lifestyle. In this article, you will learn about the best supermarkets in London, what sets them apart, how they compare in terms of prices, quality, and variety, and you will also discover independent and multicultural alternatives that make shopping in the British capital a real experience.

What Types of Stores Are There in London?

The British capital offers a unique blend of supermarkets, specialist stores, and local markets that cater to various budgets and lifestyles.

• Convenience Stores: Such as Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local, Co-op Food, M&S Simply Food. These are found on nearly every corner in central London, at metro stations, and residential areas. They are small stores designed for quick purchases: drinks, snacks, bread, milk, basic products, or ready meals. Their prices tend to be a bit higher than larger stores, but they stand out for their convenience and extended hours.
• Medium-sized Supermarkets: Such as Tesco Metro, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons Daily. These are a middle ground between convenience stores and hypermarkets. They’re usually found in busy areas or central neighbourhoods, with a good variety of fresh products, cleaning supplies, and packaged foods. They’re ideal for a weekly shop for one or two people.
• Superstores and Hypermarkets: Large stores, usually located in more peripheral areas or with car access. They offer everything in one place: a wide selection of groceries, clothing, electronics, home items, pharmacy, and even cafes. They’re the preferred option for large weekly or monthly shopping trips.
• Premium and Gourmet Stores: Located in central or high-income neighbourhoods, they offer superior quality fresh products, gourmet ready meals, and more personalised customer service. These are perfect if you’re looking for variety, healthy products, or special ingredients.
• Organic and Specialist Stores: Typically found in areas like Chelsea, Kensington, or Notting Hill. They focus on organic, vegan, gluten-free, and fair-trade food. They also offer delicatessen, select wines, and hard-to-find products that aren’t available in regular chains.
• Ethnic or Community Supermarkets: Medium or large stores that reflect London’s multiculturalism. They sell authentic ingredients, spices, imported and fresh products that connect communities with their original cuisines.

The Top 5 Supermarkets in London

London is home to supermarkets with different profiles: some are valued for their extensive store networks and wide offers, others for their premium products, while others stand out for their low costs. Below, you’ll find a clear overview of their key features: business profile, product assortment, comparative prices, national coverage, typical hours, and their main advantages and disadvantages.

1. Aldi

Aldi is a German supermarket chain that has earned a reputation for being the cheapest in the UK. Its approach is simple: low prices without compromising on essentials. Most of its shelves feature its own brands, but you’ll also find well-loved sections like fresh produce, bakery, wines, and of course, their famous weekly deals called special buys, which surprise with unexpected products.

To give you an idea, a standard shop of 79 basic items costs around €151.25 ($178), and you can even treat yourself to a Veuve Monsigny Champagne for around €17.20 ($20). With over 1,000 stores across the country, it’s nearly impossible not to have an Aldi nearby. Their hours are quite extended, usually open from 8:00 to 22:00 or 23:00, making it a convenient option for both daily shopping and a quick visit after work.

2. Lidl

Lidl, also German and a strong competitor to Aldi, has grown rapidly in the UK thanks to its straightforward formula: low prices and good variety. Its stores mostly feature own-brand products, but there are also international sections, fresh produce, and their famous weekly offers that always surprise.

With the Lidl Plus card, a standard shop of 79 items costs around €151.60 ($178). Its network is huge, with hundreds of locations in London and across the country, usually open from 8:00 to 22:00 or 23:00, making it a convenient option at any time of day.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

3. Tesco

Tesco is the largest supermarket chain in the UK, and it’s everywhere, from its local Express stores to the larger Extra hypermarkets. It offers everything: fresh produce, packaged goods, home products, and even clothing with its F&F line, in addition to ranges from Tesco Value to Tesco Finest. With the Clubcard, a shop of 79 items costs around €168.60 ($188) (without it, about €171.50, $200). With thousands of locations across the country and extended hours from 6:00 until midnight in smaller stores, Tesco is undoubtedly a practical and comprehensive option for daily shopping.

4. Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s is the second-largest chain in the UK and has a strong presence in London, with hypermarkets and its convenient Sainsbury’s Local stores. Its offer includes fresh produce, packaged goods, organic products, beverages, TU clothing, and home items. With the card, a standard shop of 79 items costs around €170.45 ($200), although in higher months, it may rise to €178.80 ($210). It has more than 1,400 stores across the country and typically opens from 7:00 to 22:00, with some smaller stores staying open later.

5. Waitrose

Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership, is the UK’s premium supermarket par excellence. It stands out for its gourmet food, high-quality fresh produce, organic products, wines, and a carefully curated international selection. A shop of 79 items costs around €205.35 ($240), rising to €211.75 ($248) in higher months. Its coverage is smaller than other chains, focused on middle-high and premium neighbourhoods, with extended hours during the week and more limited hours on Sundays.

Other Notable Stores and Department Stores in London 

In addition to supermarkets, London has a wide variety of stores and department stores that lead trends in areas like fashion, home appliances, and technology. Spaces like Argos, John Lewis, or Currys are leaders in the British market, offering everything from home products and clothing to the latest in technology.

These chains not only stand out for the breadth of their catalogues but also for their national coverage and customer service policies, making them key options if you plan to shop in the British capital.

Argos

It is aBritish catalog and online retailer, owned by Sainsbury’s since 2016. It operates both physical stores and pick-up points within Sainsbury’s supermarkets, with around 709 locations in 2023.

Products: A wide variety: Electronics, toys, furniture, home appliances, and more, including affordable in-house brands (“Simple Value”) and international brands.

Prices: Children’s lamp “Habitat Kids”: was £8, now £4 ≈ €4.60 ($5.40) , wall mirror: was £40, now £26.66 ≈ €29.35 ($34.50)

National Coverage: Around 800 locations including independent stores and pick-up points within Sainsbury’s.

Hours: Varies, many within Sainsbury’s follow the same hours (usually from 7:00 to 22:00), and offer same-day in-store pick-up. 

John Lewis & Partners

It’s the iconic British department store, recognised for its focus on quality and excellent customer service. Part of the John Lewis Partnership.
Products: Fashion, home, furniture, electronics, technology, beauty, and more. It also offers extended warranties like Protect with accidental damage coverage. 

Price: Offer examples: Nutri Ninja blender: from £99.95 to £69.95 ≈ €82.50 ($97) Linsar LED HD TV: from £269.95 to £199 ≈ €173.25 ($204) 

National Coverage: Stores in major UK cities, plus online sales with click-and-collect and shipping options. Hours: Generally from 10:00 to 20:00, but this varies by location.

Currys (formerly Currys PC World)

It is a chain specialised in technology and home appliances; after the merger of Currys and PC World, they now operate as Currys plc.  

Products: Televisions, computers, home appliances, audio, smartphones, and accessories.

Price: They’ve been criticised for unexpected additional charges, like “product support” which adds £5.99 (€6.98, $7.93) to £11 (€12.78, $14.75)/month, which could cost thousands of euros if not detected. 

National Coverage: Numerous physical centres throughout the UK plus online sales. Hours: Usually 9:00 to 21:00, adjusted per store.

Harrods

Founded in 1849, Harrods is London’s most famous department store and a true luxury icon. Its flagship in Knightsbridge houses over 330 departments with designer fashion, jewellery, perfume, high-end technology, and a world-renowned gourmet Food Hall. Prices are in the premium segment: bags from €1,200 ($1,410), exclusive perfumes from €180 ($211), and chocolates from €25 ($29). While more expensive than chains like Selfridges or John Lewis, Harrods stands out for offering unique and limited-edition products. In addition to its iconic store, it has locations in airports and international online sales, with extended hours from Monday to Saturday and more limited hours on Sundays.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Supermarkets in London

Plans that may interest you

eSIM Turkey

eSIM Greece

Belén Grima

Read full bio

Related reading