Tesco Watford Extra

This place is so gargantuan I found myself extremely overwhelmed when I first walked in. Being from the States, this was my first time ever stepping into a Tesco! The food selection here is plenteous and anyone who is eager to cook up different meals throughout the day would find more than enough in this Tesco to work with. Tesco, for me, was the only grocery store I liked to venture to while I was in England. The selection of sandwiches and to-​go-​meals was astonishing! If I lived in England, I could totally see myself going to Tesco everyday to pick up some quick lunch! :)

I don’t see what all the negative reviews are about — I love this ridiculously large, excessive Tesco and everything about it. The massive car park, the bakery and café, the ability to get lost somewhere between looking for ketchup and candlesticks… it’s all good to me.
Tesco Watford is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. I doubt I’ve ever walked in and not found something I was looking for — everything seems to be under one roof. There are toys, clothing, home goods, plenty of things for the holidays (their Christmas section is a little insane) but the down side is, you’re going to have to wait or be able to push your cart around like a pro without getting annoyed because this store is always, always filled with people.
It’s a bit out of our way but I’d rather shop here to get the variety of things I need (bigger section of cheeses, fresh foods, wine and alcohol) than run around like a crazed maniac to find what I need. The staff is always helpful, but sometimes hard to find. The photo section, which we’ve bought personalized gifts from, is timely and professional. I have never had a hard time here, unless it’s with that damned ‘Scan Yourself’ system (so disorganized, don’t even bother!)!!!
On a side note, all American shoppers, they have a very generous selection of American goodies, from really good maple syrup and pancake mixes to American candy and cereal and treats of all sizes. It made the Michigan girl inside of me almost explode from excitement but be warned! — the prices are outrageous! (No surprise there)
I’ll be back with my list in hand!

Simply amazing. I can’t rave about this stores recent makeover enough. I feel I should get paid like a top PR the amount I have enthused for the new store… which was long overdue being modernised and this Summer saw Tesco Watford become the talk of the town and the nation, as it’s the first to get the flash new overhaul and it made the news. Literally.
The renovations were undertaken without closing the store and whilst I admit I did stop shopping here while they were being carried out, I returned, opening day, with a fist full of vouchers to entice me back.
You now have to queue to get in the car park. But… it’s worth it and they now have car park assistants who direct you to spaces (layout has changed in the car park and disabled bays are now near the main doors).
Outside is the same except for the swanky new Giraffe restaurant we are lucky to have in Watford now… But that deserves its own review later!
Inside. Customer services is in same place, bit small and under staffed for a super store perhaps. There’s a new ‘scan and shop’ section which I still need to try but I see a lot if peeps are using it.
Food to go area is fab. Think salad bar to help yourself, loads if sarnies to chose from and pre packed salad and sushi goodies. Also it’s a good section to nip to if picnicking. Plus there’s self serve tills for this section alone so it’s super convenient.
The new bakery. Wowsers. So middle class and rustic. I lurve. Wooden table a la farm house laden with baked goods and hearty loaves. Also a counter with lots of posh desserts (quite pricey) and cakes. It’s quite hard to grasp this is now where all bread and cakes are though. But it’s early days. The toilet is in this section. No sign though. Annoying. And only one in whole hench store which is disappointing.
Harris and Hoole. Love the look. Great lattes. Will sample food am sure. Always busy and not keen on the buzzers they give you to wait for coffee. Bit ott. But there’s a coffee cart directly outside store so I usually grab one there as less busy.
Florence and Fred. Happy days. This section looks amazing. Trolleys are able to mooch the aisles and it really feels like a proper clothes store, better fixtures and layout/​feel than Marks or Next. And stock is great, fab designs and cheap as chips. I always come away with something. Fitting rooms are spacious too.
Rest of store super laid out. New pizza counter (still not a patch on Asda’s counter pizzas though– listen up Mr Tesco!). Fruit and veg section is epic, so spacious and easier to navigate than before. Make up and health sections look great as does home wears. Proper department store vibes. Loving. Dangerous for my bank balance.
Opticians and pharmacy both helpful and knowledgable.
Tills are still bit queuey but lots of people are checking out the store so busier than usual I think.
Defo worth a visit. You can spend a whole day in here which I guess is the point as it has a destination shopping feel now. They even do yoga and kids classes here. Massive thumbs up!

Badly managed and organised supermarket.

Grande Tesco. Can be good for some things like garlic mushrooms. They have a fairly good fresh fish counter. However generally Tesco quality is below the cost of their produce. Advantage of this store is size.

What can I say about a huge warehouse size Tesco. It’s a big Tesco it’s exactly the same as every other corporate big Tesco. So I will bullet point…
1) The fruit and veg in Tesco is always rubbish. Go to a green grocer or a farmers market if you want good fresh produce. I would write about the ones I go to on here but Unilocal doesn’t have them.
2) The world food aisle is excellent. Tesco really have got this section right. They even do Kool Aid for my American sister in law when she is having missing Chicago pains.
3) There is a Krispy Kreme… For all your sugar rushing can’t stop eating the doughnut needs
4) They have lost a point as You used to be able to recycle plastic bags here. You can’t do that now.
It’s a big Tesco. They have a big car park and cheapish petrol. It’s not my favourite place in the world.

This is a Tesco Extra and it’s open ²⁴⁄₇. It’s huge! They have a pharmacy, optician and café as well as a Krispy Kreme outlet. The petrol station has the cheapest petrol you’ll find in the area.