As we all know – in every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap! The job’s a game.
When it comes to going to the supermarket, the fun, without doubt, comes in being abroad. Perhaps it’s the novelty of swapping Scotch eggs for serrano ham, or the chance to leave the middle aisles of Middle England far behind and step into another world, one filled with the likes of cheap wine, unfamiliar tinned goods, novelty inflatables and miniature trolleys for children.
Speaking about the stores in Spain, Telegraph destination expert Annie Bennett sums it up.
“Supermarkets in Spain just seem brighter,” she says. “Maybe it’s the huge displays of fruit and vegetables – which you can usually buy loose rather than in plastic – that are often the first thing you see when you go in. And then there are the rows of glistening hams, chorizos and other charcuterie hanging above the cheeses and olives in the vast delicatessen section.”
In short, it’s always worth packing a bag for life along with your bikini or board shorts, because a trip to the local supermarket can be as invigorating as a swim in the sea.
Below are 10 across the globe that are definitely worth a sweep, from classic French hypermarkets to award-winning Australian stores.
Europe
You can’t beat a French supermarket and this one near the Forest of Fontainebleau is among the country’s biggest (staff whiz around on golf carts). The size means more of what France’s big chains are known for – great value beauty products, luxurious bed linens and decent swimwear.
If you just want to pick up bits for a pique-nique though, you’ve come to the right place: the boulangerie and patisserie bake on site, there’s a gigantic cheese section and the tomatoes in the “exceptional products” section look so glossy it’s hard to believe they’re real. Kids in tow? It may be impossible to bypass the outsized toy display.
What to buy: Stock up on organic beauty products from the bargain Nectar de Bio range, including its wonder product: hydrating gel with aloe vera.
Where to find it: Centre Commercial Villiers-en-Bière
Telegraph rating: 10/10. Magnifique!