HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL , HOPE TO SEE YOU MORE OFTEN THIS YEAR !
<BRIAN.KIDD@sky.com>...
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL , HOPE TO SEE YOU MORE OFTEN THIS YEAR !
<BRIAN.KIDD@sky.com>
Member since:10.05.2001
Reviews:185
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ASDA
American shopping giant Walmart acquired ASDA through a buyout approximately 4 years ago . Since then it has drastically altered the old ASDA structure into a modern , aggressive and profitable supermarket retailer .
This is noticeable with non grocery products , with the new ASDA stocking more electrical items such as TV’s Video’s , hi-fi's etc , (it should also be pointed out here that Asda offer a free 3 year guarantee on all mains electrical items , so buyers keep those receipts ! ) and an ever improving garden range .
Add to this special offers that seem to crop up at any time , including such items as home office furniture that really drag in the crowds .
Furthermore stores offer a good range of music and video’s , as well as an extensive range of home furnishing ( by that I mean towels , sheets, bathroom accessories etc. ) , although the ranges stocked varies from store to store dependent upon store grading . You also get a superb range of greeting cards , stationary and magazines etc.
Near to home we have a new Asda Superstore , and this stocks an additional range of baby items as well as the likes of cycles , computer
printers and scanners as well as a few monitors , which just goes to prove the point of store size and grading.
Grocery wise , it has to be said that ASDA probably offer the widest range of goods , from well known brands , through to their own brand and a value brand ( Smart Price ), with prices to suit all pockets . Their ‘rollback’ campaign aims to keep prices as low as possible , and in a like for like comparison with other major supermarkets such as Tesco and J. Sainsbury , Asda are usually cheaper on all items , but very rarely dearer . In any case , Asda will price match any competitor price , providing it is in written form , eg. leaflet .
Again dependent upon store size / grade , all have an in-store bakery , and most will have fish , meat and cheese counters . Others will also have pizza , fresh fish and oriental food counters , and many stores have a restaurant as well . At present , Asda are undergoing an store upgrade programme , where all stores are receiving major facelifts , and where possible, additional sections are being added to stores that previously lacked certain area's , eg cycle sales . Where restaurants are already in situ , these are being closed down and being replaced with MacDonalds franchises , that are independant of Asda ( yes you read it right , MACDONALDS ) . To pacify the faithful a little , all Asda Macdonalds will also sell a range of pre-packed sandwiches .
Previously Asda used to also do a saving stamp scheme , which has now been withdrawn in favour of modern swipe cards . These are in essence identicle to the stamp and card , but have the added factor of being continally updatable , so its quite easy to pay with stored credit and top-up your balance. Additionally , as with the old stamps , save and hold a balance of £97.00 on your card until December , and Asda will top it up with £3.00 , free , to spend during December.
All stores offer a good range of fresh fruit and veg. and it is usual to find a good range of fresh cut flowers at a reasonable price and of course their are the obligatory cigarette and customer service counters .
Asda used to have a petrol loyalty card , but Walmart soon dropped this scheme in favour of agressive pricing , which means that petrol is one of the cheapest available in the locality . An annoyance that I have found though , and again to do with store upgrading in general , is the replacement of forecourts with FastPay stations . With these , cash payments are not possible , and the use of a credit / debit / solo / switch card is needed to access the pumps . I like to use cash , and find it annoying that I have to use my bank cards just to get some petrol. Limits are also in place , with a maximum of £30.00 petrol allowed for credit cards and £20.00 for debit cards . In the case of debit cards , your bank balance will have its available balance lowered automatically by your bank , by £20.00 , regardless of how much you put into your tank . This can take upto four days to correct itself . As a result , Asda advices customers to fill up to the maximum £20.00 ( good sales promotion I think ) . I persoanally would like to see Asda sell prepaid petrol cards instore for those who do not / will not use bank cards.
With regards customer service , this is second to none , and most staff are very knowledgeable , friendly and accomodating.
So there you have it . A great store , with good choice of goods at a very reasonable price , but also some annoying points . Well worth a visit .
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Great prices, helpful staff and wide selection of products Disadvantages: Drivers who abuse the disabled and parent & child parking places !
SRowlands 05.07.2005 (05.07.2005)
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Review of Asda (Shop)
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