As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh reveals a strong sense of history everywhere, not only the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the National Gallery of Scotland, but also Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyrood, St. Giles’ Cathedral and other classical buildings, whose deep cultural heritage attracts tourists from all over the world. In terms of education, Edinburgh is home to the world-renowned University of Edinburgh, which attracts many students and tourists. At the same time, Edinburgh also has events such as the Military Music Festival and the Arts Festival, which add a lot of glamour to this ancient city.
As a tourist city in Edinburgh, shopping is naturally indispensable in addition to a glimpse of its beautiful scenery and historic buildings. So what are the shopping strategies? Today, I would like to introduce the shopping strategy around the University of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh’s Local Hypermarkets
Sainsbury
Sainsbury is considered the oldest supermarket in the UK and has a history of hundreds of years; their lucky colour is orange, so you see Sainsbury’s sign on the street is orange. Sainsbury’s has a lot of branches; the difference is also very convenient. The primary suffix, Sainsbury’s, is the largest; the type of nature is also the most complete, but due to the footprint of the larger, it is generally not open in the city centre but in a more remote but convenient traffic area. Sainsbury’s is the largest and naturally has the most comprehensive range. However, due to the area it covers, it is generally closed in the city centre, but in a more remote but conveniently located area. In addition to this, there are also Sainsbury’s Central and Sainsbury’s Local. In relative terms, Central will be bigger than Local.
Tesco
Tesco is the largest supermarket chain in the UK, and it’s no exaggeration to say that there are Tesco stores all over Edinburgh. Still, of course, this applies to other cities in the UK as well. Its prices are more affordable than Sainsbury’s, and it is the most popular supermarket in the UK, with the most people buying from Tesco. Tesco Extra has a large shop area with a full range of things, but generally Extra, which requires so much floor space, is not in the city centre. Tesco Superstore is a little smaller than Extra, which belongs to the standard level of Tesco; Tesco Metro and Express should be in the most photographed Tesco stores. Tesco Metro and Express should have the highest rate of appearance. The former is generally located in the city centre, shopping streets and more lively places. At the same time, the latter is considered a community supermarket, generally located in small towns, communities and so on; of course, it is also the smallest one, so the variety of general will not be exceptionally complete, but it wins in the convenience.
Lidl
Lidl is a German supermarket with very affordable prices, cheaper than Tesco and Sainsbury’s. For example, a pound of two-litre milk at Tesco is only 79p at Lidl. The variety is more complete. Still, some brands must be more familiar and may come from continental countries. But remember to bring your shopping bag when shopping in Lidl because you have to pay for the bag.
ASDA
ASDA is a British supermarket under the supermarket tycoon Walmart, and its lucky colour is green. I do not recommend it for daily shopping, because ASDA is far from the city centre. Every day, running so far to buy things is really quite uneconomical. After all, the British transport costs are not cheap. But if it is a big purchase, it is still very worth going. After all, the price is cheap, and the variety is complete.
M&S
M&S in Edinburgh is mainly on Prince’s Street, covering many products, including food, clothing, toiletries, household, catering, etc. It can also provide sterling exchange service, which is very convenient. The food quality in M&S is still good, especially the semi-finished products, which are repurchased to heat up a little bit and then are delicious. This is simply the gospel of the students who do not know how to cook! Moreover, M&S also has a lot of net red products, such as pistachio biscuits, butterfly crisps, and the favourite Martha pig, which you can explore yourself.
Waitrose
Edinburgh’s Waitrose is a bit far from the city, in Stockbridge and Morningside neighbourhoods, which could be more convenient. Still, you can order online and wait for it to be delivered home. Waitrose is famous for its butter bread and pistachio ice cream, so if you can pass by, you can try it.
Edinburgh Chinese Supermarket
Matthew’s Foods
Address: 36 Inglis Green Road, Edinburgh, EH14 2ER
Tel: 0131 443 8686
Matthew’s Foods is supposed to be the most prominent Chinese supermarket in Edinburgh. It is close to Heriot-wat and relatively easy to get to by public bus 34. Due to its location, it is close to ASDA, so not only do the Chinese products have a competitive advantage, but the price of other common foods, such as spring onion, ginger, and garlic, is more attractive than ASDA’s. Matthew’s Foods also sells fresh crabs, so slip in if you love seafood.
Pat’s Chung Ying Chinese Supermarket
Address: 199 Leith Walk Edinburgh, EH6 8NX, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 554 0358
Pat’s Chung Ying Chinese Supermarket in North East Edinburgh must be ranked as Edinburgh’s second-largest Chinese supermarket. Pat’s Chung Ying Chinese Supermarket has a 10% discount on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It has a 5% student discount all year round, so the prices are naturally better when they are on sale. The transport links are very convenient, with buses 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22, 25, 34 and 49 can be reached.
Aihua Supermarket
Address: 36 West Crosscauseway, Edinburgh EH8 9JP
Telephone: 0131 662 8888
The most significant advantage of Aihua Supermarket is that it is very close to George Square of Edinburgh University, so students will often go there to buy things. Aihua Supermarket’s discounts are cumulative; if you buy more than a certain amount of things, there will be discounts, such as 10% or 95% off, and they will also give you a card. You can get there by bus 47, x47, 37, 7, 31, 29, 3, 3A, 3, 49.
Hing Sing Chinese Supermarket Ltd
Address: 310 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 5BU
Telephone: 0131 554 4333
Hing Sing Chinese Supermarket Ltd is close to Pat’s Chung Ying Chinese Supermarket, just one stop away by bus, on the same street. The traffic is relatively convenient, and it is closer to Prince Street. The disadvantage is that things could be more complete, but some essentials are still available. The advantage is that the price is relatively cheap, so some commonly used can go to his home to buy. By bus 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22, 25, 34, 49 can be reached.
Edinburgh Speciality Shopping Streets
After finishing shopping life after the chapter, we will come to the travelling partners who told Edinburgh what places are worth shopping in the end. Edinburgh’s shopping streets are located on both sides of Princes Street, the Royal Mile, and Glasgow Square.
Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s most famous street, rich in history but full of life, with unique pubs, restaurants and shops everywhere. I recommend you go to the west section to browse around; in some charming shops, you may have an unexpected harvest rich in handicraft design. Exquisite knick-knacks are also not a good choice for a gift. In addition, when you are in Edinburgh, how can you miss Shortbread? You can also buy it here. Whisky, woollen products, landscape prints and so on are also available.
Princess Street
Princes Street is Edinburgh’s busiest and most bustling commercial and shopping street. It is about a mile long and has modern shops, starting at the Princess Mall by the train station and running the full length of the street with shopping outlets, mega-malls, and big-name brands, making it known as the ‘world’s best view of the road’.
Grass Market
Grasse Square, also known as the Haymarket, is a long, narrow square at the foot of Edinburgh Castle. The bustle of the square is its most important feature. Still, for those who care to look, you can also find several atmospheric shops where you can buy all kinds of gifts, especially antiques, handlooms and decorative items.
Livingston Designer Outlet
Those who go shopping in the UK know Bicester. There is also an outlet in Scotland called Livingston Designer Outlet. It is located 15 miles west of Edinburgh. It is the largest and most branded discount shop in Scotland, usually 50%-70% off, with about 150 brands, such as CK, Boss and Armani, among other world-class brands. Moreover, Livingston Designer Outlet is also very considerate regarding leisure, with a supermarket, cinema, restaurants, bars and cafes. And the transport is also very convenient, take the direct bus to Princes Street.
FAQ
Princes Street. Princes Street is Edinburgh’s busiest commercial and shopping street and is very popular with students.
Edinburgh has a lot of famous shopping streets, such as Princes Street and Royal Mile, and a lot of interesting small shops and branded shops hidden in various streets. There are also similar to small shopping malls, like clothing, bakery, beauty and jewellery, cafes and so on, everything is available, it’s a good place to go shopping!
Marchmont, with its picturesque streets and proximity to the University of Edinburgh, is an ideal setting for students. Nestled just south of the city centre, this neighbourhood fosters an environment where academic pursuits and personal growth go hand in hand.
