LIDL is no longer worth wasting a journey to do your shopping at. The level of frustration from…read morelong queues, broken self service machines and constant stock shortages means you are better off just going to a mainstream supermarket where you can easily get everything in one stop. LIDL did have a compelling argument several years ago, but especially since Covid, improving price and quality competition from other retailers has left them trailing. Farewell LIDL, you tried, but failed. Here's the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak... In January, I bought a pack of rechargeable AA batteries for use in my cycle lights, but didn't try to use them until February. When I did, I discovered that they were too large and were such a tight fit, that it would be impossible to remove them for recharging, so I rushed back to LIDL and demonstrated the size difference with other batteries from several well known brands. The reason the LIDL batteries are oversized appears to be because they have been dressed up with a glittery paper(?) covering, in order to make them more appealing. In fact, the covering has already started to come off, after trying to fit them in my lights. LIDL agreed that they were larger than the Duracell and other batteries I brought in to demonstrate and agreed that they did not fit into the battery compartment I also brought in to demonstrate, but they were not interested in refunding me, 'Because it was more than 28 days since the sale - and that is the law,' or words to that effect. I explained that they were not applying the Consumer Rights Act 2015 correctly, but they were not interested. For the record, my rights are: 0-30 days: You can claim a full refund for goods that are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described. 30 days-six months: You must give the retailer one opportunity to repair or replace it before you can claim a refund. Six months or longer: You must give the retailer one opportunity to repair or replace it before you can claim a partial refund, and the burden of proof is on you to prove the product is faulty. If you'd prefer a repair or replacement in the first 30 days you can ask the retailer, but it cannot refuse to give you a refund. The bottom line is, I will be giving LIDL a wide berth from now on. In any case, as mentioned above, I'm sick of the long queues, broken self service machines and constant stock issues - and unhelpful staff.

Going to this Lidl is almost like coming home! You see, I am German and Lidl, being originally a…read moreGerman discounter, has loads of stuff that other British supermarkets don't have, especially in the sweets department and in the cold-cut department. In fact, on many of my shopping trips, I've come across other German expats who're simply happy to find some of the things that you simply don't get anywhere else. But I also go to Lidl, because they do give me a good value for my money on products like canned vegetables, dry pasta, dairy products and even cleaning supplies like detergents and sponges. Also, a trip to this particular location is always very exotic, as you are surrounded by the many nationalities that call the Finsbury Park neighbourhood their home! ...and since I'm already in the area, I always stop at the Happening Beigel right across the street to stock up on the most delicious Challah and bagels!

A medium sized branch of Tesco conveniently located across the road from the main station exit…read more Unfortunately it's not my favourite branch, as my visits have been a little spoilt First time I had my cat with me in her basket and was asked to take her outside. Which meant I left as there's no way I'm going to leave her on her own out on the pavement. Now, I'm not sure exactly what the law is, but I've never been challenged elsewhere, and surely if she's in her basket, and therefore can't be coming into direct contact with stuff, there's really no more danger of contamination than from a cat owner coming in without their cat. Besides, the signs actually say no dogs, and while she does respond to commands to sit, lie down, and give a paw, and has been known to fetch in her younger days, she's still definitely not a dog. I'd forgive them for that bit of jobsworthyness but More recently I visited and got the store detective following me round. Of course they are near to a football ground, so maybe they are used to drunken fans causing trouble? But it wasn't a match day, and I'm not a football fan or a drunk. Maybe I was recognised and they thought I might have the cat hidden under my jacket In summary: well protected against thieves, and customers

A smallish Tesco Express. It's got a bakery section but that's about it for extras.read more

This is a super handy little Sainsburys, which frequently has offers on pizzas and other quick…read moremeal-in-a-hurry type items. Open from 7am to 11pm 7 days a week, it is extremely convenient for when you get home to an empty fridge. It is a little more expensive than the bigger Sainsburys stores, and for vegetables, I would recommend the Arsenal Fruit and Veg shop just along the road, but for all other essentials, this shop is invaluable. The staff are also very good about getting other members of staff to open the other checkouts when a queue starts to form, and they are efficient at getting through customers, which is important as this shop can get very busy with people picking stuff up on their way home from work. There is also a free cash machine inside the store.

There's lots I like about this place, but probably the best thing is that they're open 24 hours and…read morehave a booze license. Praise be! As you'd expect in this area there's loads of halloumi, olives and other Mediterranean food. They also have a great selection of veg and the usual stuff you get in convenience stores, as well as a bakery with fresh Turkish bread. Pro tip: go for the feta and spinach slices, yours for 50p.

We all look for the most cost-effective way to shop but can we afford to compromise on quality?…read moreWith Waitrose products price matching many cheaper stores but still providing better quality as well as an added value of superb customer service what can a shopper want more? Customer Service: There isn't much to say about the customer service at this particular Waitrose store other than it being top of the game. With a smile, a hello and a question about how your day is going with a short conversation depending on your answer, you couldn't ask for a more friendlier bunch of staff than these guys. Being a regular shopper here allows me to see consistency all the time and I never fail to engage in an active conversation with the cashier. Product's: We all know that Waitrose is technically classified as a premium label store, but if you were to look closely, you can catch many of your everyday products (name branded) for the same price. Many Waitrose shoppers don't mind paying a little extra for the quality but Waitrose is becoming a store that is welcoming all types of shoppers regardless of how much they can spend elsewhere. My recent discovery has allowed me to spend the same amount as I would (probably just a tad more) than I would at the Morrisons next door but quality in comparison to both store puts both stores in seperate league tables. **5 stars for the consistent customer service whether that being first thing at 8am or later in the day after 2pm. The price-matching feature is a bonus as it allows me to save a few pennies as well as being able to grab a free coffee and a free newspaper/magazine (courtesty of Waitrose free members card) sets the bar very high for all the other food outlets to compete with. Many look for a bargain at cheaper stores but I'll ask you this again, can we really afford to compromise on good quality food?**

Waitrose quality is great but what has happened to the jars of Waitrose brand cucumbers pickled in…read moredill? Why are they not stocked any more ? The Mrs Elsworthy ones are far too sugary and soft and I don't buy them any more. I have been looking for weeks for Waitrose brand pickled cucumbers and found another customer on the same quest Please bring them back!

Wow, I am definitely impressed by the variety of Chinese (and a bit of Korean and Japanese too)…read morefood available at this little store. I always go in to the city to buy my Asian groceries in Chinatown, but now that I've discovered this place, I can do a lot of my shopping here. Plus, it's aimed at a Chinese clientele (all the labelling is in Chinese although there are English translations) so the prices are very reasonable. This place is great for all kinds of Chinese noodles, tofu, produce, dried and canned goods, snacks and drinks. Only thing you need to be aware of is it's cash only, but there's a cashpoint outside the Tesco just a half-minute walk east on Seven Sisters.

Great selection of Asian (mostly Chinese, but I saw Korean, Japanese and Thai) sauces, preserved…read moreitems, candies, canned goods, a small section of fresh veg and freezer coolers of seafood, meats and ready to eats. They have even a selection of fresh seafood on offer at cheaper prices than the Holloway Nags Head fishery a few storefronts down - eel, fish, live lobster, clams, and mussels. This is my new go-to place for korean basics (kimchi, gochujang, ddok, etc), hot pot/shabu shabu needs, and tastes of my childhood. Too bad it's cash only - but just be prepared for that.

Just your average Tesco Metro, but more than averagely useful in an area that is short of…read moresupermarkets. Although there is a wide range of small grocery shops on nearby Holloway Road, the area between Drayton Park station and Arsenal underground is rather short of any sort of convenience shop. This store is good for basics - bread, groceries, wine/beer, with a limited selection of fruit and veg. The shop is accessible for wheelchair users with level access.

Now, one could rail against Tesco for its corporate behaiviour which has, amongst other things,…read moreresulted in the local corner shops around the UK being slowly replaced by anonymous Tesco Metro stores. However, that would probably miss the point of a review. That said, how can you differentiate one Tesco from another? They all carry basically the same stock (i.e. basic groceries, wine, beer and toiletries) and sell it all for bascially the same price. However, I should note that it is not the biggest store and consequently, does not, for example, stock as much as the Tesco Metro on Holloway Road. However, otherwise, it is what it is. I go here because it is the closest store to where I live - no other reason and there is certainly no reason for anyone to make a special trip.

Coffee sweet unroasted coffee, this is the only high street store I've seen that sells it this side…read moreof soho and although the selection is only one type it's a whopper. It so good this Ethiopian run store only have it behind the counter, though ask and he shall receive. We have become all hipster at chez Samir S and started to roast a few weeks worth of coffee in a go (using a thick wok , a spice grinder, a few tries and YouTube instructions). This bean produces an amazing rich taste all for £5.50/kg where one kg bag lasts us two to three months; amazing daily coffee for two for the monthly price of a fancy pants coffee house. This is a pretty average little grocery store otherwise but the other main selling point is that it sells injera (Ethiopian traditional roti). It sold fresh, again hard to find outside a restaurant and great with dal.

Morrisons are well known for their affordable prices, but I can ensure that you literally get what…read moreyou pay for. Without the cheap prices, I'd rather take my custom elsewhere. Being new to the Holloway area I was quiet pleased to find out that there was a Morrisons around the area but highly disappointed at what I found. Bad customer service with self service machines complex enough to confuse the regular self service machine users and as annoying to test the patience of the most calming of people, this store has become one of my least favourite places to endure. Customer Service: When gallivanting around the store doing a regular shop, it's quiet surprising to see the lack of staff in such a huge store that regularly gets busy. Having a shortage of visible staff means that any help or assistance that you may require on your shopping errand could be delayed with the added annoyance of having to find a staff.. Truly unacceptable. Furthering on with the bad customer service, I myself have experienced at the self service machines a member of staff fiddle around with my particular machine making it unusable to then disappear whilst in the middle of helping me. This resorted in me having to waste more time finding her to rectify her own mess without an apology or a bat of an eyelash. I believe this to be rude, time wasting and not what I have to experience during a shopping trip. **1 star customer service with the lucky advantage of cheap prices and plenty of products giving this particular store only 2 stars. Without all of the highlighted advantages mentioned, there would be no reason at all to ever shop here**

Very bad experience. I am 23 years old with a US drivers license and was not able to buy a beer…read more After I told the person that was checking my things out that I didn't feel that was right, she said I needed to be 25 to buy alcohol. Since when do I need to be 25 to buy a beer in the UK? Also, how is it possible that I have bought a beer 2 times before with my US driver license? Won't be buying anymore from them after I already had my Morrisons card

I didn't go in here for the longest time because I thought it was still the unappealing sandwich…read morebar that used to be there. How wrong I was! This shop is a combination coffee shop and organic grocery. They are small but have many lovely organic products, milk and yogurt, beer and wine, cereal and pasta, fresh fruit and veg, even some foreign products like Thai curry paste and Japanese udon noodles. The sitting area for the cafe is on the upper floor, looking down on the shop, and I intend to try it out very soon--the coffee and pastries look wonderful. And if you want to grab some lunch near Finsbury Park there are takeaway sandwiches too.

Lovely (small) cafe hidden away up stairs of this organic food shop. Coffee and any crossaint only…read more£2.50 before 11am! Great for post run in the park of early morning before going to the tube. For this it gets a big thumbs up. Good selection of products downstairs too.