I would guess that there are chain stores in these countries equivalent to the above (if not the same ones perhaps)I am taking Ricks advice and traveling with a carry-on only so knowing what stores to ask for to buy locally and inexpensively to meet my needs would be a big help.For example I will be walking around battle sites,(Verdun,Ypres etc:)in the Fall so I intend to buy a pair of cheap water-proof boots (Wellingtons?)and leave behind when I return as well as toiletries and such like items. Suggestions?
Thanks,John
Posted by
Manchester
497 posts
Well for the UK the obvious Wal-Mart-alikes are Tesco and ASDA. ASDA were actually bought by Wal-Mart in the late '90s but, IMO, Tesco are closer to Wal-Mart from a shopper's point-of-view.
In France Carrefour are the big name hypermarket.
Posted by
Pantego, NC, USA
1014 posts
Asda (think Walmart), Sainsburys, Tesco are three that come to mind. There are more. Hope others join in.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Definitely Carrefour in France. In Belgium the main supermarket chains in my experience are GB (owned by Carrefour) and Delhaize.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
The well-known cheap clothing chains in France are Monoprix, Prisunic and Tati.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Carrefour also operates in Belgium. They own the GB chain, which is closer to an elaborate convenience store, and they also have the full hypermarkets. The comparison to Walmart is apt, except for the food, which is MUCH better than Walmart. For cheap clothes, you'll also find C&A (pronounced "Say en ah" locally) everywhere.
Posted by
maplewood, new jersey, usa
818 posts
Hema is a GREAT store in the Netherlands - has everything. It may be in Belgium too.
Posted by
York, PA
300 posts
I'll add Marks & Spencer as a UK equivalent to Target. Back a long time ago I bought a couple of tweed jackets on sale at an M&S in Bath - they're still holding up fine (if you excuse the British double vent in the back). Usually there's a good quick grocery in the basement somewhere as well.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
36 posts
Hi,
My suggestions are all for the UK:
ASDA is like walmart. I feel like Sainsbury's and Tesco is more like a grocery store than a sell-everything-you-need store. Morrison's is another store like that.
There is also a place called Argos (also delivers throughout UK, but there are many locations). It's an interesting concept. You can buy everything (literally everything) except food/things that expire...anything from a treadmill to clothes hangers to computers. They have a catalog in the store and you pick things and they are brought out to you in about 15 minutes. It's a pretty cheap store too.
Posted by
Manchester
497 posts
One thing about Marks and Spencer/Target comparison is that it doesn't quite fit in with price aspect. M&S is a good dept. store and the food hall is excellent but price wise it's not really in the Target/K-Mart league. Food wise it's noticeably more expensive than ASDA and Tesco and mildly more expensive than Sainsbury's.
Posted by
Victoria, BC, Canada
42 posts
Not quite "Walmart" but in France, I like Monoprix. You can get some groceries, cheap clothes, beachwear, seasonal stuff (folding chairs, picnic basket, cooler, etc.) there pretty cheap. Also, if I want a cheap lunch, I'll pick up a sandwich, pastry and a drink at Monoprix and walk to a park to eat it.
Posted by
olympia, washington, usa
41 posts
In France, food/drink-wise, try Lider Price.
KOL
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"Hema is a GREAT store in the Netherlands - has everything. It may be in Belgium too." You are correct. A conveniently placed Hema store once saved me from getting drenched... sometime in Europe, it can be more difficult than you might think to find an umbrella at the drop of a hat.