Sainsbury’s

I’m at this Sainsbury’s probably 4 – 5 times a week. I like it. The staff are friendly and will always check the back when I ask if an item is truly out of stock.
This Sainsbury’s local tends to stock nearly everything I need. Fresh avocados, 5% mince beef, Irish soda bread, fage yogurt… the list goes on! They also have a pretty good beer and liquor selection (and something good is generally always on offer).
The only negative I can think of is that the banana selection can sometimes be quite dire.
Overall: good offers, fresh food and friendly staff.

As an American, I’m actually quite familiar with Sainsbury’s and other UK super markets, as I’ve lived in the UK myself for a bit. But this was the only horrible experience and it was all because I asked one simple question, «are you open Christmas Day?» The simple and easy way to deal with that situation is to say whether the store is open or not, but this one worker had to go about it the rough way by giving me the nastiest look and scoffing a «no,» as if I was mental. And she kept condescendingly staring, as if I had spoken the most unspeakable things toward her. Please tell me how I am supposed to know if one is to be open on Christmas Day or not. I get it, that it may be a cultural thing, in which the idea of working on Christmas Day may seem appalling and unheard of, but to one who has not grown up around these parts or has not spent a holiday season here, I find it rather difficult to intuitively know which holidays stores are open/​closed.
Rather than expressing her ignorant opinions about my lack of knowledge and my «audacity» to even ask such a thing, she could have acted like a professional customer service provider her role entails her to be and reserved such sentiments.
Other than that unpleasant encounter, there was a gentleman who provided the expected prompt service by checking the back to see if more items were available and also, by informing my dad about the specific times they would be open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. So, this Sainsbury isn’t all bad!
All in all, I don’t usually write reviews, especially for places like markets… But her reaction is literally burned into my memory and I’m still not all that chuffed about it… from my time of living in London and traveling throughout the UK, I’ve never really had any unpleasant experiences shopping at any of the markets, but whilst traveling in Edinburgh this winter for a holiday, it’s unfortunate that it had to happen, especially in one of my favorite cities.
Nevertheless, I hope this certain individual realizes the error of her ways and fixes that attitude of hers. Because if she can make a mellow individual like myself annoyed, imagine who else she’s pissed off.

Very expensive and they sell nothing for vegetarians. All the frozen food is basically stuff that is terrible for your health. I guess you could buy some vegetables and rice and make something that will not put you in an early grave, but otherwise it is for people who do not care about decent food or their health.
For example the crisps section is bigger than any other individual section in this entire store. Seriously.
And would it kill you to sell some vegi burgers?
Oh they make some of their own bread which is nice and open until 11pm, which is a plus.

This Sainsbury’s has a convenient location between Grassmarket and the West End and is the only supermarket around (or so I believe) in this immediate area. It is small but it has all the basics and is great for popping in for all the general things.

A typical Sainsbury’s local. Handy, convenient but a lot more expensive than a Sainsbury’s superstore.
Worth pointing out is this shop does not have a license, so don’t depend on it for your carry out.
Still, its got great opening hours and you can pick up lightbulbs and toilet roll at 11.00pm