Supermarkets in China can be an eye-opening experience, I remember going to buy some chicken when I first moved here and, lo and behold, there was live chickens, pulled from the cage, beheaded and plucked before your eyes, it. Talk about fresh. Walmart is fairly tame, in comparison to the more traditional supermarkets, of which I’ll add some photos up in future posts.
Walmart is popular here, perhaps due to it’s perceived US prestige, but also by delivering quality goods, hygienic environment and high service standards, it has consumers trust. The US chain has done well to tailor itself to the local market and there’s a lots of interesting stuff you probably wont find at your local US Walmart:
Turtles – unfortunately I was not in the pet section.. these guys will end up in soupsDried starfish, great addition to your next healthy soup…Dried Cuttle Fishchickens feet – marinated and steamed, these are one of Chinas #1 snacksChickens feet, pigs ear, and offal.. mmmm. snack time!
More from inside Walmart China (photos open in lightbox) If your comparing prices 1 USD equals about 6.26 CNY (RMB)
big clothes and shoes section
merchandise
lots of home electrical
rice cookers get a whole isle
locally made TVs mostly TCL)
keyboards are popular
as are bikes
and goats, considering its the year of the goat/sheep/ram
sports gear – badminton and basketball are popular
RC cars are popular at the moment
the only bugatti I will ever be able to afford
toblerone is new
dove is the king of the chocolate isle
Chinese candy
Chinese candy, buy by weight
more candy
Chickens feet to go
more salty and spicy snacks
more snacks
Bud is popular
more beer
wine
moutai – which is like drinking petrol
fresh fruit
fresh veg
fresh veg
baked snacks
baked snacks
in house bakery
the dariy section keeps growing
bean curd, dried roots and other dried herbs
They stock a lot of commonly used root herbs
lotus seed
honey
grains and legumes
chickens feet
quack quack
The in-house butcher. near end of day, its normally more stocked up than this
sliced beef for hot pot
preserved meats/ham – mostly yuk..
bacon – well, a version of bacon
Chinese sausage
dried starfish
fresh fish
really fresh fish
pick your own fish out with the net, then watch get gutted
i dont know what this is
Rice
Oatmeal is popular, Quaker oats is popular in supermarkets
Oreos.. popular everywhere
Lipton has a strong presence here
Honey and condiments, jam is becoming more popular recently
the flour section is growing mostly used for dumplings and steamed buns but some homes are starting to bake at home so western style flours are are more readily available
personal care
hair care
P&G is as big here as anywhere
The checkout
the checkout isles
most all supermarkets have a dedicated womens beauty section
more beauty
Frozen foods is mostly dumplings and meat balls
Dumplings
Glutinous rice balls
In house roast meats
A ready to go lunch pack
More lucnh packs and roast meats
nuts and beans
tofu
the deli – freshly steamed snacks
cant remember the name, sorry
cant remember the name, it’s like a eggy pancake with noodles inside
Choose your toppings to go with your freshly cooked noodles
Freshly cooked noodles underway
more roast meats
youtio – fried dough stick – a popular breakfast snack
preserved eggs
pizza… yuk
more biscuits
Dian xin (dim sum)
Chinese hamburger
Biscuits are becoming more and more popular
eggs from a small bird (sorry i forgot the name)
Chickens feet, pigs ear, and offal.. mmmm. snack time!