Asda

This is a standard Asda in Wembley Park not far from the station. I like this Asda a lot better then the other nearest Asda in Park Royal. This is a nicer store. It is busy but still spacious and not as busy. You can comfortably walk around and do a grocery shop. They have a clothing department on first floor, late night pharmacy, basic housewares, electronics and food. The branded food is good but the own store brand products are so not worth it, they have absolutely no shelf life at all. They are good for offers in all departments, especially electronics. I don’t come here often but when I do, I always manage to get what I want. Worth coming in to do a grocery shop or pick up bargains.

It has been six months since my last venture to ASDA. What has happened? This used to be my go to place for cheap, quality food. All I saw this time was 2 for £2 deals. Now this may sound great, but I’m not sure. When you see a small bag of oranges for £1.80 or 2 for £2, and then this trend of really expensive for one or 2 for £2 — 3 for £5 etc etc… it forces you to buy more than you want.
I confess I’ve spent the last six months shopping around, finding deals, spending more times in markets looking for healthier organic goods, the stuff superstores just cannot contend with. I am growing an aversion to processed packaged foods. Look in any superstore and a huge percentage of their discounted goods are processed naffness. So maybe it isn’t ASDA that has changed, maybe it’s me.
To be fair ADSA is still great for doing your weekly shop, maybe the best, but their prices definitely seem to be higher than last time I was there.
For the discerning shopper, those of us that care what we put in our bodies, stick to the farmers market.

Before the suspense mounts to a terrifying frenzy I must tell you all about the magnificence that is Asda.
To all Americans, please reserve your judgement, I do realize this place is part of the Walmart family. In the midst of the recession and with forever tightening purse strings, this store is a mecca of bargain basement prices and superb selection. Where else can you the vast array of products in a one-​stop shop.
The Wembley store has clothing, a late night pharmacy, all the basic housewares, electronics and of course, food. While I still prefer to buy vegetables and fruit from street side markets, buying spuds and carrots in bulk is best done at Asda. I particularly love the dry goods section where a 3kg bag of pasta rings in at £3.49 and every type of rice or cous cous is at your fingertips. The bakery includes West Indian hard-​dough bread, a big favourite in my house and the staff is unbelievably attentive. When the vest tops I was looking for were out of stock, a sales assistant offered to call me when they arrived in. Seriously, when is the last time you were offered a personal service anywhere other than Harrods.
If you are within a 1 hour travelling distance from an Asda, I would suggest the once-​a-​month stop in. Restock your pantry with the basics and leave the fancy stuff to organic shops and your community butcher.