The first thing I want to make clear is that this is not a review of the staff. They are…read morefantastic. Always friendly and helpful, they are great. I wanted to make that clear, so some manager doesn't place any blame on them.
The real reason this shop gets a 1 star is that I am sick and tired of the place. I've lived in the town for 30+ years. Sainsbury's is the only big store in town. I cannot drive, and because the other Food stores in town are small, I do 90% of my shop there.
I am SICK of the lack of choice available. They only have the most basic foods available. The whole selection of Japanese, Chinese and Indian foodstuffs (beyond the vast selection of overpriced microwaved meals) and fit on one small shelf section. Only very basic fruit and veg. Basic meat. Basic everything. It feels like a store that's stuck in the 1950s. There's more of a selection of meat paste than of chillies or peppers. No joke, the local Londis (which is TINY) has more verity.
And I wouldn't mind so much if the prices were good, but they're not. During a Cost of Living Crisis, you'd think they'd start stocking more Basics products, but they's mostly stocked the shelves with their "taste the difference" stuff that is usually a good 75% more expensive.
For a brief moment, I thought that things were about to change. They started stocking a wider verity of products the other week, and it was a joy. Well, I guess that was a mistake, because only 3 days later, it was all gone. Maybe someone in charge would twig to the fact that because it all sold out in less than 2 days, they should order more. But no, because all the shelf labels are gone, and in their place are the same old things that I've gotten sick of.
All of this, in a shop that feels so gloomy. The shop is fitted with a speaker system. I know this because of the occasional Ad they play at full blast, and because they do play music during Christmas. But the rest of the time, it is silent. It gives off the feeling that the management see their customers as nothing more than walking wallets.
I am Sick and Tired of it. If you are coming to Tenby on holiday, might I suggest skipping Sainsbury's, and shop in Pembroke Dock? It is only 20 mins by car and you have a choice between Tesco Extra, Aldi, Lidl and Asda. If you are in town and need small stuff, there's a Tesco Express, the aforementioned Londis, a well stocked Post Office, and a Co-op. Just what ever you do, don't go to Sainsbury's.