Advise on What to Buy In The Supermarket

Having been out here now for a few weeks, we've been round most of the local supermarkets.

Obviously, many of the items we'd buy regulalrly back in the UK or Ireland, are quite expensive, (although many are available if you want to pay the price).

It can be a real mine field but trying to buy things like washing powder / liquid or other simple household cleaning products, (especially if your grasp of Spanish is not all it could be) - there's just so many to choose from.  I think it would be really useful if some of those who live out here permanently or come out on a regular basis could offer some advice on some of the household items which they have bought and have found to be effective and economical, with of course details of where they have sourced them.

Can I suggest we could start with a few recommendations for basic household cleaning products that people would recommend, and then move on from there?

We all know that Fairy Liquid is a good wahing up liquid (for example), but what would be a Spanish alternative etc.  With the credit situation we now find ourselves in most us us could do with trying to save a few euros on the shopping.

mahou is a alternative to carling lol

Totally agree Beadso I am always tight and go for local brands and look for the Promos, not quite BOGOF but normally good deals to be had.

Branded and British products are normally expensive here so we always bring Tea bags from UK

As for household goods, think you just have to look at Pictures on labels and try cheapies but happy to hear local recommendations.

Aldi and Lidl in San Javier are always good for household cleaners at a good price and other goodies including food and drink

Hi All

If you are out for a long visit and really really want just english products ie fresh food, frozen food, fruit & veg, tins, biscuits, cereal also all cleaning products, toiletries, mags, drinks etc infact  everything english you can think of go to ICELAND in Torreivjeca its near the needle.  Prices for english fare are not inflated like in Spanish stores for eg anything priced £1 is around 1.25€   They are planning to open a branch around Dos Mares in March I believe but will let you know when it happens.   

Hope this helps

Linda Butler (Mikes wife)

Strange you should mention the ICELAND store.  We actually visited it ourselves yesterday.  We would prefer (where possible) to shop where the Spanish shop, and buy what the Spanish buy (when we know what's worth buying), but having a walk round the Iceland store, its hard not to be impressed by the range that they carry.  You see things that you didn't even realise you were missing until you actually see them.

And its not just Iceland products that they stock, Waitrose aswell (and perhaps from other UK outlets).  The great thing is that as Linda has stated they are not too dear.  I don't think its  unreasonable pay about an extra 25% (to cover their transport and markup costs).

Different people are on the look out for different things, but we were pleasantly surprised when we noticed the range of sauces which they stock.  Just to mention a few: Iceland's own brand, Knor, Dolmio, Bertolli, Waitrose, Sharwoods, Homepride.

We were shocked when we saw the prices of such items in the "Foreign" sections of Eroski and Careffour - sometimes costing over 4 euros a jar, whereas yesterday we picked some up in Iceland - Sweet & Sour, Tika, Korma, Onion & Garlic for only 1.25 euros (normally £1.00 in UK).

We were also told the same about the intention to open another store (in or near) Dos Mares, San Javier.  It's anticipated that it should open sometime between Spring and Summer 2009.

Source for Gluten Free & Wheat Products

For those who need to avoid wheat or gluten products we found a great range available in the supermarket section of El Cortes Ingles, in Cartagena.  It provides more choice for anyone requiring a special diet than any other store around.

Its a huge department store in the heart of Cartagena. Prices are obviously higher than in the UK, but these kind of items tend to be expensive back home anyway.

One of the other "best" stores that we've found (when you're looking for what you can't seem to find anywhere else) is the huge Carrefour store in Torrevieja, near the Habernas shopping centre.

sangre de toro lovely red wine. 4 euro spain, 7 pound sterling here