[sarahw]

Today I shopped in New World for the first time... (and Carol I shopped at Porirua not Whitby one so I'm supposedly paying reasonable prices :mrgreen: ).

I usually shop in Pak 'n' Save in Poriura City but had to get something 'exotic' pollenta - ha - which isn't included in the end price I've given here as its not on my usual shopping list.

I do a very simple shop every week for the 2 of us (and we eat very well - this includes packed lunches) - 90% of things are home-made in our house so I just shop for meat, fish, fruit, veg, nuts, eggs & pulses & bread - no ready made different makes to compare here. I bought 3 bottles of wine same wines I buy at Pak n' Save & they were on offer so were the same prices to it wasn't me buying expensive wine that's swayed the prices here...

I found that New World was $20 more expensive for the exact same shop that I do every week at Pak 'n' Save. The fruit & veg didn't look as fresh & I noticed quite a large difference $1 or more in prices on things like bottles of water etc. Pak n' save shop is usually $160 including 3 bottles of wine - New World was $180 including 3 bottles of wine. I know the prices at New World vary from shop to shop as they seem to be some kind of franchise but this is supposed to be a reasonable shop.

For anyone on a tight budget - you can save over $1000 a year if your bill is similar to ours & a lot more if you've got kids too! (quite a hefty sum if you're not on a huge salary well its quite a hefty sum even if you are on a huge salary!) by shopping at Pak 'n' Save.

[dave k]

For the sort of stuff that I cook I've gotta swing between the two (with occassional forays into specialist shops too). P&S is great for the basics. NW is closer (to me) so I use it more, but the quality of produce is about the same. Certainly not heaps better.
It does generally have a better & cheaper selection of wine & beers though (as long as you buy the Special promotion/Coupon card stuff)

Which reminds me....why the hell do they have that stoopid coupon card thing? It's a huge waste of paper & advertising if you ask me...why not just have the items on special offer? The till chick always gives you a temp coupon anyway!

Better by far though is Moore Wilson's - & they have a bulk buy section too which works out even cheaper than P&S.

[GeorgeM]

Which reminds me....why the hell do they have that stoopid coupon card thing? It's a huge waste of paper & advertising if you ask me...why not just have the items on special offer? The till chick always gives you a temp coupon anyway!

Yeh - a good question. We've never gotten anywhere near to finding an answer.

Perhaps they could use it as the basis for one of their competitions:

Complete this sentence in no more than 15 words : "I think that New World send me these useless coupon books every two months because....."

[Carol]

But Sarah! You got your bags packed and the place has a CEILING!!! :clap :clap :laugh :laugh :laugh


I have to say I with a vengeance the awful P & S.

Never go if I can help it - swings and roundabouts - some weeks things are cheaper some weeks the same or more expensive than my Woolworths down the road - (where they also pack your bags for you).

10 mins with Chloe in a queue and you'll understand why I rate this so highly! :nice1

[Moorf]

"I think that New World send me these useless coupon books every two months because....."

... they heard I was short of firelighters....

:laugh

[sarahw]

:laugh :laugh I have central heating do you want me to post you my coupon books?!!

Those ruddy things! (we have a New World in Whitby that I use for emergency things like cakes if I have someone coming round for tea or the odd ingredient if we've run out at home) I never remember to take the coupon cards with me but they always have them at the till & I end up with about 20 of the damn things in my kitchen by the time they run out!

Carol - yes they packed my bags (funnily enough I really wasn't happy about it!?! :roll: yes I know you're all thinking mad woman!!! but did I really need seperate bags for every bottle of wine & bottle of juice?! What a waste! I'd much prefer to pack my bags in the carpark myself! (I know - if you'd asked me this 3 months ago I'd have scoffed at packing bags in a carpark!!!) :laugh

I guess its all centered around what's nearest & what you get used to!

[clarabell]

But Sarah! You got your bags packed and the place has a CEILING!!! :clap :clap :laugh :laugh :laugh


Am i being thick, or do you actually mean theres supermarkets in NZ without ceilings?
COOL :mrgreen:

[Carol]

Am i being thick, or do you actually mean theres supermarkets in NZ without ceilings?
COOL :mrgreen:


oh yes....and birds nests!
:nice1

[kiwidebs]

My parents shop at Countdown cos they really dislike Pak n Save!! Not entirely sure why cos when I left NZ eight years ago they shopped at Pak n Save!

Debs

[Carol]

Am i being thick, or do you actually mean theres supermarkets in NZ without ceilings?
COOL :mrgreen:

when I say a ceiling....I mean one that isnt the inside of a warehouse roof - if you see what I mean.
I'm over it now - it just remains a lasting joke in our house of my "British snobbery" when we first came here!

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

[baboonworld]

My Dad owns a New World (not saying where in case someone slates it!!!!) but I do know the owners of Whitby.

I thought (but for no reason) that all NW would have same prices.

Anyone - just for the sake of saying so - both NW & P&S are "managed" by the same company anyway!

[sarahw]

You'd think wouldn't you? I've been told by many Kiwis & Brits not to shop at the Whitby branch as its probably the most expensive in Welly area. I don't know how true it is as I've never done a shop there - I only use it as a convenience store if I run out of anything as its within walking distance.

Carol you lived in Whitby for a few years - did you find prices different from the other branches?

[Carol]

oh yes........considerably more.

That said - the owners (sadly now just owner as his wife died last year) will try really hard to help you out. If you want something in particular you only have to ask and they will try their best to get it in stock for you.
Even Brit stuff!
:clap

[debnjohn]

Now before I post this, I realise it is incredibly sad :? :roll:
But, just in case anyone is interested, I did a quick 'phantom shop' in Pak'N'Save on Moorhouse, CHC. I noted down the prices of the CHEAPEST produce at the time. The English conversion uses todays exchange rate ($2.57 = £1)

Item meas cheapest English
Vegetables
Cabbage ea $1.69 £0.66
Carrots kg $1.65 £0.64
Cauliflowerea $1.99 £0.77
Celery ea $0.99 £0.38
cucumber ea $1.99 £0.77
grapes kg $3.99 £1.55
Leeks kg $0.99 £0.38
Lollo rosso ea $1.75 £0.68
Mushroomskg $6.99 £2.71
Onions kg $1.99 £0.77
parsnips kg $4.99 £1.93
Peppers kg $5.99 £2.32
Potatoes 3kg $1.99 £0.77
Spring Onionsbch $1.99 £0.77
Sprouts kg $3.99 £1.55
Swede ea $1.65 £0.64
Tomatoes kg $3.99 £1.55
Fruit
Apples kg $1.99 £0.77
Bananas kg $1.89 £0.73
Grapes kg $3.99 £1.55
Oranges kg $1.89 £0.73
Pears kg $1.99 £0.77
Satsumas kg $1.89 £0.73
Staples
Brown breadloaf $2.49 £0.97
Sugar 1.5 kg $2.09 £0.81
White breadloaf $0.99 £0.38
Dairy
Milk 2litre 2 L $2.49 £0.97
Butter 500g $2.19 £0.85
Cheese kg $6.99 £2.71
Spread 500g $2.75 £1.07
Yoghurts 6 $2.99 £1.16
Drinks
Orange juice1 L $0.99 £0.38
Lemonade 1.5l $0.99 £0.38
Sprite 12 $5.99 £2.32
Convenience
Biscuits pack $1.29 £0.50
Bud cola/lem/or1.5 L $0.99 £0.38
Cadbury crème eggs3 $1.99 £0.77
Crisps 150g $1.49 £0.58
Crumpets 6 $1.95 £0.76
Fruit filled muffins6 $3.39 £1.31
Ice cubes 3 kg $1.99 £0.77
Noodles pack $0.50 £0.19
Snack bars6 $2.89 £1.12
Wwatchers snck brs6 $3.55 £1.38
Frozen
beans kg $2.79 £1.08
Chips kg $1.99 £0.77
Corn kg $2.89 £1.12
Ice cream 2 L $2.99 £1.16
McCainhot wedgeskg $3.69 £1.43
Peas kg $2.09 £0.81
Steakhouse brgers12 $3.99 £1.55
Stir-fry veg.kg $3.65 £1.42
Whole chicken $7.99 £3.10
Meat
Chicken kg $1.29 £0.50
Chicken breastskg $8.95 £3.47
Chuck Steakkg $10.45 £4.05
Lambs Liverkg $4.35 £1.69
Pork kg $7.45 £2.89
Premium Mincekg $12.45 £4.83
Rump Steakkg $7.99 £3.10
Sausages kg $5.99 £2.32
Smoked chickenwhole $12.65 £4.90
Topside beefkg $12.45 £4.83
Fuel
Petrol li $1.30 £0.50
Diesel li $0.86 £0.33

[Jennie & Rob]

Thanks for that information John - I now have to find out how much it costs here! Thinking of things in terms of Kg is quite hard for little brains like mine :laugh

[Lil]

Having resisted using grams & kgs for many years, it's taxing my brains a little too. I'm just so stuck in the dark ages of pounds and ounces. Don't get me wrong, of course I know how much grams and Kgs are but I have never thought about food in those terms. I know how much time it takes to cook a 2.5lb chicken but just don't ask me how long it takes to cook a 1.3Kg one.

The deli counter gets me every time. Note to self again: 500g of ham is not half a pound.

However, I have in the short time we've been here moved on in leaps and bounds with the baking measurements in cups. It's so easy and I have even invested in a cute set of stainless steel cup measures.

On the matter of prices of things, I cannot get over how cheap some things are in the Veggie shops, at 49c for Kilo Apples they might as well give them away. I paid 49c for a Bunch Silverbeet which I tried for the first time today - not sure if it is something I'd bother with again - but it sure looks like it is good for you.

[Simon & Emily]

Can you buy food in lbs at places like deli's? Everywhere here in the UK just converts for you if you ask for 1/2 a lb of something, but I have not a clue how much this is in kilo's.

I assume everywhere really is kilo's in reality, unlike here, where no-one understands the 'new' measurements. (you should see the look on people's faces when my father goes into a shop and asks for '10 shillings worth' of something. As this money was discontinued early 70's or so no-one under about 40 has a clue what he's asking for. I'm sure he does it on purpose :laugh :laugh )

Emily

[veronica]

We've been metric before when we lived in OZ but although in theory we should be able to do both I find it far easier to ask for 6 slices of ham or whatever than do the weight thing and used to do that in the UK too. metres etc is fine though, never really stopped thinking in those.

I don't think they would do the english thing of converting for you as they have been metric for a long time.

[Diny]

I'll never forget going into Pak n Save in Kaitaia and having to 'shoo' the sparrows off the cornflakes before I could buy a packet.

Carol ... you're right ... no ceiling .... just a very high roof (where all the birds roosted).

I wonder whether the fact that I found it amusing and quaint could be taken as some kind of 'reverse snobbery' :?

Diny

[jo b]

The deli counter gets me every time. Note to self again: 500g of ham is not half a pound.

.

Lil,

I'll bet you've been eating ham all week eh!!! :laugh :laugh :laugh

Jo

[Lil]

I'm gonna have to learn aren't I? I embarrassed myself even further today in the Hairdressers by asking for an "inch" off - it's an age thing! I wouldn't mind so much if we hadn't had metrication since the 70s, it's just taken a while to catch on.

[Simon & Emily]

I'm just the same Lil, and I think many people are. 90% of people in the UK are feet and inches rather than the new fangled metric.

Emily

[GeorgeM]

I'm just the same Lil, and I think many people are. 90% of people in the UK are feet and inches rather than the new fangled metric.

Emily

In order that this post can be readily understood by the majority of those in the UK I think that it would be useful to point out that the confusing metric measure of 90% roughly approximates to the good old fashioned imperial 29/32ths.

[Simon & Emily]

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

[Diny]

Never have been able to get my head around the metric system. In fact .... I've never allowed myself to :eek

When my kids are talking about something and they say 'it was about 2 metres away' it just seems so 'caggy' to me.

Guess this creature of habit is going to have to change though upon arrival to NZ. It's a case of when in NZ do as the NZers do. I still advocate that when in the UK do as the British do, not what the French, German etc etc etc tell us to do.

Sorry ... got abit political there, didn't mean to hijack the thread.

Viva Pak n Save :nice1

Diny

[Timbo]

Woolworths may take on Warehouse


New owners of Woolworths NZ, Foodtown and Countdown see scope for expansion in the general merchandise area



26 May 2005

The Warehouse, New Zealand's biggest listed retailer, may soon face stiff competition from across the Tasman.

The new owners of several of the country's supermarket chains see scope for expansion in the general merchandise area.

Woolworths Australia is spending $2.5 billion buying up Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown, previously owned by Western Australia-based Foodland Associated Ltd.

Chief executive Roger Corbett says the plan is to cut costs, and expand into other retailing sectors.

He has identified general merchandise, currently dominated by The Warehouse, and liquor as two potential targets.

Meanwhile Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has placed its A-minus long-term corporate credit rating on Woolworths, on CreditWatch, with negative implications.

Credit analyst Paul Draffin says the proposed acquisition in New Zealand should further strengthen Woolworths' already very strong business profile in Australasia, leveraging the group's buying power and core retailing expertise across a culturally similar, duopoly food retailing market.

He says from a creditors' perspective, this represents a significantly more attractive growth strategy than pursuing growth outside supermarket retailing.

[Rimbo]

I like New World, New World is nice, it's clean, the meat looks and tastes fresh, P&S meat looks like a really brassed off 14 year old has packed it.....last month! The meats in P&S come in massive packs, "I want a piece of steak, not 10!" In NW the veg counter has cold steam (sounds daft, but you know what i mean) coming from it swallowing up the veg. The fresh mussel buckets work and look fab, the fresh meat counter is always sparkling, it's light and airy. Pak & Save favvers an old wharehouse, and stuff is stacked in big crates, bags cost you 5c, granted shopping is cheaper. I suppose i will have to tighten my purse strings and start shopping there more often though.
The best thing of all at New World is.....
every 2 minutes you dont get ....
"Hi shoppers, it's Kevin here, your freindly pak and save"...... AAHHHHHHH! :exit

As for weights, I don't pay much attention and didn't in the UK. I want that piece of steak, I don't care what it weighs, a want a bag of sugar, a bottle of milk, 4 slices of ham, a box of wine, 3 litres?..... better make it two! :mrgreen:

John

[foolsgold99]

I gave up on pak n save after a couple of weeks, could never find what I wanted, and they never seemed to have nice stuff.

I now shop at the green supermarket (I dunno, foodtown ? something like that). It's ok, doesn't seem to be that expensive. I could never find the wine in Pak n Save although everyone tells me they sell it.

One thing that really annoys me though is that people don't seem to get the whole trolley etiquite thing. Middle aged Pakeha men are by far the worst, you can tell they don't want to be there, and they have been dragged out by the missus. If I'm coming down the aisle with a trolly, don't just stand in the middle of the aisle looking confused, GET OUT MY WAY !!!!

They block aisles and when you want past, they look stunned.

[Rimbo]

Just come back from shopping.
Walked out of New World cos they didn't have what i wanted. so i take all the nice things i said back! :laugh
Went to Woolworths, much more expensive but they do a bit of foreign stuff, they even do Hoi Sin sauce, which surpised me as Kiwi's as never heard of crispy duck!
They probably shove it on their crips (sorry chips) :P

agree on Trolly etiquite, they use trolly's like they drive...crap!

[jan]

I have been shoppng in New World & P and save. Both seem to have what I wanted, but depending on what kind of day i'm having I can go in both!!

If I feeel like perusing and dawdling NW is for me,

If I get incensed with price hikes P&S for me. I went in Countdown the other day for a bottle of wine, $17 for Villa marie, $9.99 in P&S! :eek

$5 for 3 loaves in P&S, $2ish each in NW!

Super fruit and veg section in NW though.

I went to P&S in Albany and it felt like it was a newish place to me. Loads of people going this way and that though.

[GeorgeM]

If I get incensed with price hikes P&S for me. I went in Countdown the other day for a bottle of wine, $17 for Villa marie, $9.99 in P&S! :eek

That seems a v big difference - are you sure that it was for the same wine? Villa Maria has a number of different ranges, all of which look pretty similar - from the 'bottom' up these are:- Vintage Selection, Private Bin, Cellar Selection, Reserve, Single Vinyard. The price difference between ranges can be substantial.

If anyone is interested, Fresh Choice in the SI have Wynham Estate Bin 555 (the Shiraz) on special at $9.99 this week. Has to be probably the best buy around. (For the best white try Cooper's Creek Sauv Blanc, on special this week at $11.99 in Woolies). (Save some for me!).

[veronica]

some times it seems as if the prices are all over the place. Broccoli can be $1. 29 at one of them and $1. 59 at another but then something else if discounted the other way. Pac and sav isn't always the cheapest, and the choice there is very limited. It really does pay to shop around.

[lisa]

Hi all

Just thought i would add my somewhat limited insight into grocery shopping having only been here a couple of weeks but have found that Rangiora has good options for shopping around we have NW(quite good for veggie stuff) and Woolworths I have also discovered farm shops where if you buy stuff that is in season prices seem really cheap and fresh fish is really reasonable, aslo discovered a shop where everything is loose and you just buy what you need.
Can't comment on Pak n Save as have never been there.

Lisa :P

[dave k]

Tell you what P&S is really good for...

Pork.

They consistently do the best deals I've ever seen on shoulder & leg joints.
I just got a leg piece the other day for $20 and it would've fed 6 very greedy people no bother (it actually fed 3 reasonably hungry folk - and me. So, yeah..that's about right :yes ). And was top notch quality too.

I still hate shopping there though :mrgreen:

[baboonworld]

Support NZ companies and buy from New World, PacknSave, 4Square and Write Price

Avoid the Aussies (woolies/countdown etc)

[dave k]

Or better still your local butcher/grocer/fishmonger. If you can find one!

[ruthyroo]

I agree with you 100% Dave, and I shop at the only remaining butcher in Rotorua every week. The quality is just fantastic, even by NZ standards, and I reckon that by getting all the basics at P&S, I can afford the little extra for the quality, choice and local service that comes at the butcher. Sadly there is no longer a fish shop in town, thanks to the supermarkets.

As for P&S v's NW... P&S is the regular for us, and seems to have consistently the best wine deals - though a narrower range than others. I only go to NW / CD / Woolies when I feel a bit fragile and homesick - becuase they remind me more of Tescos / Sainsbury!! And I can't always handle fighting my way through the scrum in P&S on benefits day...

But I have noticed that there is some variation between the shops. Whereas the Rotorua P&S is very basic, untidy and kinda limited choice (unless you like processed luncheon meat - that comes in many, many flavours) the Tauranga P&S is pretty swish, and even sells exotic things like fresh duck!!

[sarahw]

Oh I so miss a proper butcher's shop!

We thought we'd try out a butchers the other week & went to the 'Mad Butcher' in Lower Hutt - this was in no way what I'd term as a butcher - a butcher is someone who stands behind the counter and cuts the meat as you want it - this outfit had a bunch of freezers & fridges with pre-cut meat in it - most of which I could have bought in a local supermarket for the same price!

I dream of finding a good local butcher and proper English pork sausages!! Oh to have some Sainsbury's 'taste the difference' pork & apple or chilli sausages...... :wah

[Carol]

Sarah....we've got one in Tawa..........

:nice1

[catjlin]

Ok, m two cents for shopping around Christchurch:
Countdown hasa fairly large and well priced bulk section (for nets, dried fruit etc.)
Dreaded pak n' save for cheap beer, wine and large bags of bulk (rice, oats etc)
The Funky pumpkin for fresh veggies and fruit (just buy what is in season and their prices are always the lowest)
And the local butcher in Redliffs for free range eggs (sorry, I'm a veggie and my hubby eats eggs, no meat buying around here). Does anyone know of a cheaper place to buy free range in this area?

Cat

[dave k]

Actually, I just remembered...a new butcher opened in Wellington a few months back. It's called Meat & it's on Tory St. I think. I've bought a few things from there & they were all good quality. :yes

[sarahw]

Thanks Carol & Dave for the suggestions meat-wise - I'll try both...

Cat - The Funky Pumpkin - what a cool name!