So I found out on Friday night when we were driving home from IKEA (Yay! We finally have a dining room table!), that there was a Fresh and Easy store about 5 miles from my house. So we decided to head off to check it out today. I have to say, I'm pretty disappointed that they didn't even bother to do anything for the ex-pats that they know will be checking out these stores. The only teas they had were Lipton (yuck!) and their own Fresh and Easy "English Breakfast Tea", which doesn't sound any better. I didn't see any Brit imports at all.

It stuck me as a cross between Sainsbury's and Trader Joe's. But I'm pretty disappointed. Yes, the meat, produce and ready meals looked pretty good. But it was way too over-priced. Anyhow, just thought I would chime in with my opinions of them. Pretty much a let-down, sadly.

Yeah - I had heard about Tesco making the move across the pond but haven't seen any there yet. Would have thought there would be some UK stuff there but then they prolly determine that by market and can't justify the import costs if the products aren't going to be popular... Sucks... Wonder why it is so expensive though..?

We found the same when we visited the store in Mesa, AZ at Christmas.

Quite a good selection of ready meals and good quality but nothing special price wise. Would be worth the occasional visit but as you say no ex-pat stuff.

I guess it depends on the popularity of the items...stores don't stock things they can't sell...

In West Orlando, we're lucky...not only do we have UK tourists all the time, we also have quite a large community of ex-pats here too...most of our grocery stores have a modest selection of stuff on the international aisle...

They'd be pretty dumb to stock UK stuff that their mostly US customers are not familiar with. Expats will not make them money and the success they need over here. As greeneyedgirlfl stated, if there is no demand, there will be no stock. There was a documentary about it the other week. After all the companies that have tried to move over here, and failed, I hope Tesco find the formula they need to succeed. But I won't be holding my breath. I think a Tesco would thrive in FL though!!

Tesco said from the outset that they were not going to be the UK store in the US and the stores and goods would be tailor for the US market.

I like the stores and certainly wasn't expecting to see any imported goods' as has been said, that will not win them a big enough slice of the market. I didn't think they were over priced for what they sell, and there are some great deals too in tinned and dried goods as well as bargain hot dog rolls and burger buns that are not as sweet as most of the US ones.

I can't shop for everthing in one store, I have to go to about 3 to get the right foods I want at the right prices. I probably spend most in TJ's but I now spend about 30% of my food budget in Fresh and Easy.

I also go to the local farme's markets for fresh fruits and veg as the quality is much better.

Our...hot dog and hamburger buns are too SWEET? xD WHAT? xD My god.

You can keep the Tesco's, meh, I don't care. I would be very happy if our stores just had those magical marked down clearance prices you can go in and raid every day...end up with like...a chicken wrap, a 4 pack of muffins, yogurt, baguette, and like...tikka salad or something for 12 p SO cool xD

Fresh and Easy do mark downs, I got lasgane the other day, yummy!

Hahah - yeah they are! As is most of the bread in the US (or so I have found)... I think it is the uncontrollable need to put corn syrup in everything that does it

That reminds me of when I pulled into a BP gas station in Kansas City and popped into the shop hoping to get a Ginster's Steak Slice and a Egg Custard.

oh, let's be technical here - 'high fructose corn syrup'

I truly do not see the need... everyone's taste buds are getting used to things being sweeter and sweeter; no wonder some kids almost keel over when they taste broccoli or some such

my Australian cousin was so against the bread after spending six months in Portland, Oregon, that she's got me running scared... I'm going to be making my own

I am sure there are some that aren't so bad... I just laugh when I see the "authentic" Lea and Perrins

Hmm, egg custard. Nom nom nom.



Stu

My husband has never once b*tched about bread in the US.

Cheese, on the other hand, is a problem for him....

I can see where he's coming from. Proper strong cheddar doesn't seem to be the in thing there, at least not in Iowa. Good news is that our local co-op imports cheeses from everywhere, including Wales!

Cheddar-me-do \o/


Stu

Last time I was in Wyoming in February, I was surprised to find the Walmart in Cheyenne sold Tetley tea bags!

Anyway, I shouldn't be reading this forum right now, I should be sleeping - I fly back tomorrow morning on my K1!

rebeccajo - I can totally relate! I LOVE cheese and the rubbery bricks you get there just don't compare There is imported cheese (found some orange cheddar from Bristol - it's a start) in the local Stater Brothers but it is pretty expensive - we normally pick up a bunch at a local market and bring it back with us

They don't have easter eggs here!

I'm going to have to celebrate easter with peeps! Which is great but I miss my smarties easter egg

There's a English section in Meijer here but it's no good. It has beans but that's about the only good thing. I didn't know they had tescos here.

Yeah - Easter eggs are going to be a problem I can see it... Thing is they are so heavily packaged it wouldn't even be worth shipping them most likely...