I bloody love Makro, just the thought of it makes me giddy, I think it's the whole thing about…read moreeverything being larger than usual - when you're walking round and you walk past a 4 litre tub of Helmans Mayo you feel like you're in 'Honey I shrunk the Kids' (anyone remember that movie?)! Anyway on to the more serious stuff, Makro really is a god send if you're organisning an event or a party, the whole idea of it is that you can buy items in bulk and save some money at the same time. This Makro is about a 10 - 15 minute drive from Belfast City centre but is just off the M1 so is pretty easy to get to! There's a huge car park too so don't worry about it getting too busy. They stock everything you could possibly want from electrical items, kitchen supplies, meat, cigarettes and alcohol. Set some time aside to go because it's huge! To give you an example, yesterday I bought 50 premium beers for £22 which is amazing value in comparison to supermarket prices! One thing to note is that you need a Makro or Booker (recently bought over) card to get a discount but you can apply on the website if you have a business or run any large scale events.

Yes Makro is a good spot if you're looking to buy in bulk - boxes of crisps, chocolate, sweets, not…read moreto mention the actual food. You can buy huge packets and boxes of meat, chicken, etc., and if you have the storage space you can make some good savings. IMPORTANT: YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ENTRY TO MAKRO WITHOUT A MAKRO CARD. The off licence is open to the public, but you need a Makro card to access the rest of the store. Often people tell others about Makro and forget to mention that you have to have a card, which you have to apply for and include details such as VAT registration numbers for your business. I know a lot of shoppers will find that disappointing, but better you find out now than travel up and get refused entry at reception. That being said, a lot of people go here to get the big boxes of washing powder, big bags/cases of dog food, as well as boxes of blank Cds etc. It also has a lot of electrical equipment (TVs, computers, digital cameras, etc), sporting equipment, clothes... the list goes on. There are some great offers available when the "Makro Mail" comes out, which is their fortnightly publication which details their special offers for that period. You usually need to get there on the first day of the offers though (every second Wednesday), as Makro tend not to have huge stocks of these goods which are effectively their "loss leaders". They also have a "sale mail" which they bring out occasionally in addition to the Makro Mail. (You can look through the Makro Mails on their website). There are savings to be made too in their off licence, especially if buying cases of wine or availing of special offers. What a lot of people find frustrating is that the prices listed are exclusive of VAT, as the store is ostensibly intended for retailers who reclaim VAT, so some people get a bit of a surprise when they get to the till. If you know someone who has a card, they can bring two people in as guests. It's a great store you could spend hours in, and the off licence is accessible without a Makro card.

You might not realise at first that Glover's is actually a wholesale business but even if you are a…read morenon-wholesaler it is a good place, to buy various random, useful things ranging from disposable cups, plates and foil dishes to stationery supplies and bleach It is another of the sort of places where I have to curb the urge to get carried away with buying all sorts of stuff that I feel sure I'll find very useful, including supplies of masking tape, paint brushes and other things that are piled up in in here where, no bones about it, this is a place for a bargain.

A good-sized, spacious Centra store which is easy to navigate. Sells a full range of groceries,…read moremagazines, newspapers, confectionery and some toiletries. Also has a sandwich and hot food counter. Can be incredibly busy especially around lunchtime with crowds from nearby schools, businesses and Queen's University. However, all checkouts are often open, so queues move quickly. Prices are low and quality respectable. I especially like the falafel salad boxes, veggie delight sandwiches, pasta salads and packs of 4 X jam filled donuts for only £1.00. Ticks all the right boxes...

I hope my case was a once off because if it happens more than once, then I feel this shop to be…read moreworthy of closing down. As it is located on the Malone Road, this shop does an almighty trade with students and drunk people alike (sometimes they are the same) as it is halfway between the halls of residence and the university itself. It is also within the vacinity of the Eg and the Bot, two of the most popular drinking dens in the student lifestyle. However, after watching a match of epic proportions in the Eg which was so interesting, we began drinking cocktails, we went next door and I purchased some milk for my post-pint cup of tea. It was only on my way home, that I realised I had been short changed by 70p or so, which I am aware is not too much, but got me thinking as to whether it was a pure accident, or whether I had been taken advantage of in my slightly uneasy state. Now I know what you are thinking and no I wasn't drunk and I didn't lose my money. I handed them a two pound coin, I put the change in my pocket and I counted it out on the way home. I work in a shop so I am aware of serving customers, but to be that badly out with your change says one of three things: - either you have made a genuine mistake and you should try to correct it. - or you have done it on purpose - or you are an idiot I'm not going to hazard a guess as to which is more likely, but needless to say, I think it was not number one. I have not, and probably will never, visit this place again. And it's all over 70p. What a shame

I've been meaning to try to recreate the dumplings from Wagamama for ages, and having been…read moredisappointed with my search for ingredients in Tesco, where else would I try but Asia Supermarket. Looking drab from the outside, inside is a bustle of colour and noise, busy with people and packets with labels I couldn't read. After dandering up and down the aisles I finally asked a really lovely girl about the dumpling wrappers. She laughed in a nice way at the idea of me making my own and showed me what she used to make hers (from scratch, the show off) but then took me to the wrappers. Thank goodness she did, I would have been there for weeks. The selection of dried, pickled, canned and fresh goods is astounding. The fruit and veg section puts the big supermarkets to shame in quality and price. This shopping experience was a roaring success. Lets hope my dumplings are too!

I love wandering around stores like these and checking all the exoctic looking foods they have on…read moreoffer. I used to shop a bit in the Chinese emporium on George Street in Dublin, because the vegetables were cheaper, fresher and came in bigger portions than in crappy supermarkets. The Asia supermarket looks more like a factory than a place that sells food. The layout, as other reviewers have mentioned is vast and scatty, but if you have your wits about you, you may just come out with something weird and wonderful, and tasty too hopefully! I would recommend getting some seaweed, a big block of Tofu (really good value) or some yummy miso soup. There are also big bags of spices, bags of rice so huge they could kill a man and some great traditional chinese vegetables. A little haven.

The Henderson Group are a national food and retail company based in Mallusk, they operate a…read morecorporate and retail supply network from these offices. I only have experience with their wholesale services. Whilst employed in a Bangor kitchen, one of my many jobs where I endured hours of backbreaking labour for a few pennies, I had dealings with Henderson Wholesale on a daily basis. They offer a daily door to door delivery service providing all the items in a kitchen that one takes for granted. For instance they have recently produced a 300 page glossy catalogue listing all their products. It is quite a read. I could not believe how expansive their range was, they have Tupperware, frozen goods and even food packaging. They are contract providers to the catering industry, this means that they will unfortunately only deliver in Bulk. They also have a range of their own products. Overall I have always found them easy to deal with, they operate an automated delivery service which makes transactions swift and smooth. The drivers who deliver are always very helpful and despite the fact they deliver so early in the morning are always cheerful.

Yeah, I've visited your shop a few times now. The first time I visited, I thought I'd landed in…read moreheaven. It's not a massive supermarket, but I must've spent over an hour in there, I had to look at everything, I was completely mesmerised. The staff are pleasant and very helpful too. If anyone wants to do Chinese cookery, you won't have to go anywhere else, whatever you need, this shop has the lot. OK, you may think I'm being a bit over the top here, but trust me, and you don't have to take my word for it, you will be overjoyed when you visit, so much so, you won't use anyone else. It's just a pity they don't have a page like Tesco (That I know of), I'd be forever getting deliveries. A massive thank you for your service and well done on a fantastic shop.

Lee Foods! Whilst it's safe to say that I love this place, I'm generally scared to go in during the…read moreweeks either side of pay day. I'll either be spending money I don't have, or blowing a sizeable chunk of my paycheck in one go. If you like to cook, chances are you'll have those wee cylinders of herbs and spices bought for a couple of quid each in your larder. Lee Foods do bags of spices at a fraction of the cost. Did you know that chillis freeze really well? I bought a big bag of bird's eye chillis for a quid or thereabouts, I take them out of the cooler to thaw when I need some. Do you have an awesome looking recipe for a Thai salad, or a curry paste, or want to make tamales but you don't know where to get fresh papaya, real turmeric or banana leaves? Lee Foods will have it. It outperforms the major supermarkets in many different ways. More choice, better prices, weird and wonderful stuff you might not have heard of before. There's nowhere else like it in town.

Jewellery wholesalers - I got my engagement ring for a very competitive price and was served by a…read morelovely lady called Ethna who helped me and really personalised the service - she knew I was bewildered by lots of different styles at the one time and so she only presented a few for me to look at. Previous places we had looked had been pushy and totally over whelmed me with loads of different rings. Ethna was very kind, informative and understanding. Recently we went back to pick a wedding ring and there was a very funny moment when I was down on my hands and knees looking at the bottom shelf. The owner walked past the counter and started apologising. We later found out that he thought from my poise that I was proposing! I got my wedding ring here as well and it was at least £300 pounds cheaper than elsewhere! Highly, highly, highly recommend Ellison Brothers.

A fine selection of diamond jewellery, engagement rings etc all displayed in a very elegant and…read morewell presented showroom. With my better halfs birthday coming up I was shopping for some jewellery, wasn't quite sure exactly what I was after but the staff were very helpful, genuine and not too pushy. Got a great price on a beautiful necklace and have to say after looking at similar in some of the other local jewellers, Ellisons were the most keenly priced. Highly recommended.

Wyse Byse....As a boy, this is the shop I used to sit in the car while my mum spent two hours…read morewalking down every isle keeping her eye out for a bargain. This is Belfast's answer to Portabello road only contained in one building. There are many mysterious items to be found and marveled upon. I think their motto should be anything and everything. I find its a great place to get a picture frame or something individual for your house that everybody is not going to have. They also act as a hardware store and a sweetie shop. Keep it up Mr Wyse!!!

You can't beat a bargain, and when I'm up the Cregagh Road I always pop in, even when I don't need…read moreanything! The high aisles are stacked from top to bottom with cut price cotton buds to cat food, pens, peanuts and colouring books. Basically, if you can think of something you need, you are bound to find it in here. They also have a selection of bits of furniture and household accessories upstairs, some of which are tacky as get out, some surprisingly expensive considering the value downstairs. It's perfect for a multi-pack of bulbs or a bar of chocolate tho if you don't want your living room to look like Bet Lynch's, an old coronation Street reference there. ;-)

While I'm not a totally girly girl, you can't beat Sally's, even with a massive Boots around the…read morecorner. Selling a brilliant range in hair colours, lotions, potions and all the other bits and pieces us ladies need for constant maintenance you will find stuff here you can't get in your usual pharmacies. I'm a bit of a fan of the pink hair dye they have, and the when it was out of stock the girls could not have been more helpful and friendly with their advice and offering of alternatives. If you are looking for something a little different or have the guts to dye at home without expensive salons, this is the place for you.

Sally Salon Services is an amazing shop. I visited today and the Lady at the counter asked if she…read morecould help, but when I told her I was only there to have look she just left me alone to browse. This is great as I hate it when sales assistants constantly hover over me in shops. There's a huge selection of products here and an especially good range of gel nail polishes. I would really recommend this shop.