Categories > Guides and Tips
The Top 10 Supermarkets in Manchester: Where to Shop for Quality and Value
Do you have a weekly habit of grocery shopping every weekend? Or do you prefer to stock up your pantry on the way home from work during the weekdays?
It’s surely a relief to get everything on your shopping list crossed off by the time you reach the checkout. However, this can only happen at a shop that’s fully stocked and knows what shoppers really want.
Affordable prices are a dream, especially in this economy! We all want to have enough money left for other needs to live comfortably.
So, without further ado, here’s our carefully hand-picked list of the best supermarkets in and around Manchester, chosen for their variety, quality, and pricing.
Morrisons – Piccadilly Gardens
Address: 19-25 Piccadilly, M1 1LU
Contact details: 0161 825 9970
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Pricing: ££
The UK-grown supermarket chain Morrisons in Piccadilly Gardens is a well-rounded establishment for all your grocery needs. Located in the heart of the city, it’s a convenient stop for shopping at any time of the day.
Besides the usual supermarket fare like meat, dairy, produce, and flowers for special occasions, Morrisons Piccadilly Gardens is popular for its cooked food shop, the Market Kitchen.
Here, patrons can buy cooked meals like pizza, rotisserie chicken, and speciality Asian and European dishes.
For early risers, you can even grab breakfast here, as hot drinks like tea and coffee are available as soon as the supermarket opens.
| Pro tip: Morrisons offers online shopping and delivery for its grocery and Market Kitchen items! Just check its website for further details. |
Sainsbury’s Salford Superstore
Media from Sainsbury’s
Address: 100 Regent Rd, Salford M5 4QU
Contact details: 0161 210 5620
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday – 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: ££
Sainsbury’s Superstore in Salford is one of the best options for a one-stop shop for all your supermarket needs and more. The variety of grocery items is outstanding, there’s self-checkout, delivery, and even those with mobility issues can easily shop ’til they drop.
Besides grocery shopping and takeaway food shops, there are plenty of other services available.
Is your car low on petrol, need to have keys copied, or have some mail to post? You can refill your tank at Sainsbury’s petrol station and take care of your key and postal needs at the respective stalls on the premises.
| Pro tip: Take advantage of the recycling facilities at this Sainsbury’s branch. Bring your soft plastics, used vape implements, or spent water filters for recycling. |
Lidl – Piccadilly Gardens
Media from Lidl GB
Address: Piccadilly Gardens, M1 4BT
Contact details: 20 3966 5566
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Saturday – 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Tuesday – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: £
Great value and grocery item variations is the game at Lidl’s Piccadilly Gardens branch. As always, this location is a plus, since it’s in the middle of everywhere in Manchester and very accessible to many transportation lines.
The overall shopping experience here is great, too, since it’s efficiently open early in the morning and closes late on most days. To add to the variety, this Lidl branch also has organic products, a bakery serving fresh breads, and even a sushi bar!
However, this Lidl isn’t all perk. As of this writing, it’s quite reliant on self-service checkout, so bring a lot of patience when queuing for the till.
| Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled for Lidl’s food coupons of the week for more savings on your grocery bill. These are available at the supermarket’s website and the Lidl Plus app. |
Manchester Superstore Grocery
Media from ManchesterSuperStores
Address: 197-201 Clarendon Rd, M16 0EH
Contact details: 0161 860 7793
Operating hours: Daily – 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Pricing: ££
We’ve already featured the top Asian groceries on our website, but we think it’s only fair to mention one more Asian supermarket for a well-balanced list.
You can easily spot a Manchester Superstore branch (there are a few across the UK!) with its racks of fresh produce in front of the shop.
For grocery items, it carries notable brands like Amina, Kamaal, and Rubicon, perfect for making ethnic African, Asian, and Caribbean dishes. There’s also a butcher on-site, so you can get the freshest cuts of meat for any dish you need.
| Pro tip: Manchester Superstore offers delivery services! Simply inquire via phone or directly at the shop to arrange one. |
Unicorn Grocery – Chorlton
Media from Unicorn Grocery
Address: 89 Albany Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 0BN
Contact details: 0161 861 0010
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday – CLOSED
Pricing: £££
Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton is a unique (unicorn-like?), worker-owned cooperative.
If you follow an organic, whole food diet or simply want to eat healthily while supporting fair trade practices, this supermarket is for you. However, fair wages mean prices might not always be the lowest.
The store offers an impressive selection of fresh produce, including hard-to-find fruit and vegetable varieties. Unicorn is also popular for its wide range of pantry staples, including fresh bread and ready-to-eat salads, perfect for a quick meal or takeaway.
Unicorn Grocery emphasises sustainability and ethical sourcing, making it a favourite among eco-conscious shoppers.
| Pro tip: Unicorn Grocery has a special operating schedule during the holiday season. Check the latest info on its website or social media. |
ALDI – Manchester Arndale
Media from Aldi UK
Address: Manchester Arndale, M1 1WR
Contact details: 800 042 0800
Operating hours:
- Monday and Saturday – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Tuesday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Wednesday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Pricing: £
Manchester Arndale shopping centre truly has it all, including a brilliantly located Aldi branch. Situated along the bustling Market Street, it’s easy for Mancunians to pop in and out for both large and small grocery lists.
Aldi is definitely a fantastic spot for value grocery buys. Its variety of food and non-food items includes canned goods, veggies, meats, dry goods, bakery items, hot meals, home items, and even baby essentials.
One highlight in this ALDI is the Specialbuys, a weekly selection of discounted or promotional items that offer great value for money.
| Pro tip: Due to its location, Aldi at Manchester Arndale is packed with people most of the time. Be a dear and have patience in the self-checkout queues. |
M&S FOODHALL – Manchester Spinningfields
Media from M&S
Address: Quay St, M3 3EB
Contact details: 0161 933 6634
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Tuesday – 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday – 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: ££
M&S (also known as Marks & Spencer) Foodhall, in the posh area of Spinningfields, is a foodie’s supermarket dream. It offers high-quality grocery and non-food products, including fresh produce, dairy, bakery items, clothing, and even fresh flowers.
Aside from the supermarket aspect of its operations, this shop is famous for its healthy ready-to-eat food, reminiscent of Japanese konbini (convenience stores).
M&S Foodhall’s wine selection’s eclectic mix of great brands and varieties, making it a brilliant spot to consider for picking up a bottle. You’ll never go wrong with gifting stuff here to friends and family.
If you’re lucky, you might even find some highly discounted items!
| Pro tip: M&S Foodhall’s friendly staff are bilingual, though the languages they speak may vary depending on who is on duty. So, if you or someone you’re with doesn’t speak English as a first language, there’s a good chance you’ll avoid any language barriers in this shop. |
Co-op Food – Manchester High Street
Media from Co-op
Address: 38 High St, M4 1QB
Contact details: 0161 834 6777
Operating hours: Daily – 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Pricing: ££
If you’re a fan of exceptional quality and pricing of supermarket fare with a socially responsible ethos, then Co-op should already be in your weekly grocery shopping itinerary.
The High Street branch in the heart of Manchester is a prime example of the brand’s excellent location and services. It’s a grocery, bakery, coffee shop, bills payment facility, recycling drop-off, and Amazon pickup spot all in one.
True to its name, Co-op is a cooperative, meaning it’s owned and operated through the collaboration and funding of its members.
You can find fresh produce and grocery items at very reasonable prices. Rest assured, Co-op’s products adhere to the UK’s fair trade policies.
| Pro tip: You can choose to become a Co-op member to help in its social causes. As a perk, you’ll also become eligible for special promos and discounts at Co-op! |
Tesco – East Didsbury Superstore
Media from Tesco
Address: Parrs Wood Ln, East Didsbury,M20 5NP
Contact details: 345 677 9239
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday – 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Tuesday – 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM
- Saturday – 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: £
Tesco’s East Didsbury Superstore truly lives up to its “super” name. It’s a well-designed supermarket with the earliest opening hours we’ve seen and most, if not all, of the features you could need.
The grocery section offers a wide variety of products at reasonable prices, with both wholesale and retail options available. Other prominent features of this Tesco include the chemist where you can get NHS or private prescriptions, and a clothing shop with styles for the whole family.
You’ll also find takeaway food shops, soft plastic recycling, a photo booth, and a print shop among other stalls, making this Tesco a comprehensive shopping destination.
| Pro tip: Being a Tesco Clubcard member isn’t necessary, but it does offer bigger discounts and special promotions. There’s also the members-only convenience of Scan as you Shop, where you can walk through Tesco with a scanner in hand and check out items quickly. |
ASDA – Trafford Park
Media from Asda
Address: Barton Dock Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, M41 7ZA
Contact details: 0161 748 5841
Operating hours:
- Monday – 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Tuesday – 12:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Wednesday to Friday – Open 24 hours
- Saturday – 12:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Pricing: ££
ASDA’s Trafford Park branch is rightly called a “supercentre.” It’s a one-stop-shop, especially with its vast selection of products and services, plus the extensive operating hours.
This popular supermarket offers a wide range of grocery products with great prices, along with a pharmacy and an optician’s clinic under the same roof. It also features a print shop, a foreign currency exchange service, and an ATM.
There are several chain food shops for grabbing a bite, and a petrol station for those making a quick stop. Overall, ASDA is a perfect supermarket for locals and travellers alike.
| Pro tip: ASDA Trafford Park is a very accessible space! There are facilities for the disabled including parking, specialised trolleys, mobility scooters, braille guns, and wheelchairs. |
