The ones I’ve listed here are national or regional chain (or the occasional online) stores since you can find them all over the United Kingdom and are easily accessible to new residents or visitors. In Great Britain, the main concentrations of shops are called “high streets,” and you can find a lot of these essential stores in one general area alongside smaller, independent shops, too. I prefer to shop local and small myself, but when you’re still getting to know what’s what in a whole new country, then you need a general starting point. And here’s that starting point!
If you love Target or need a big box lifestyle store:
Marks & Spencer (My top favorite, especially with basic/specialty groceries and ready-made lunches/dinners available in their Food Hall)
John Lewis
Asda (Note: This company is owned by Walmart.)
If you love TJ Maxx/HomeGoods or need a discount name brand store:
TK Maxx
Home Sense
If you love Michaels/Joann Fabrics or need a craft supply store:
Hobbycraft (Looks identical if Michaels and Joann had a baby. You’ll also find sewing, some home decor, Cricut, and other arts and crafts needs.)
If you love Goodwill/Salvation Army/CHKD or need a thrift store:
[Note: Thrift stores are called charity shops, and they are typically always run by non-profit organizations. You will see many, many, many of these on any shop street. You might even miss it because they aren’t as big as American thrift shops.]
Cats Protection (Focus on British kitties)
British Heart Foundation (Focus on heart disease research)
Oxfam (Focus on global poverty & its related issues)
Salvation Army (Yes, it's here, too!)
If you love CVS/Walgreens or need a pharmacy:
Boots (Note: This company is owned by Walgreens.)
Superdrug
Lloyds Pharmacy (Note: Not to be confused with the bank of the same name.)
If you love Dollar Tree/Family Dollar/Dollar General or need a basic bargain store:
Poundland
If you love [insert your favorite U.S. large chain grocery store here] or need groceries:
Tesco (One of the largest national brands, a personal favorite)
Sainsbury’s
Morrisons (Another personal favorite)
Waitrose (Higher end and much like Whole Foods)
Aldi
Lidl
Iceland (Focuses on frozen food at low prices)
co-op
Ocado (online only)
If you love Home Depot/Lowe’s or need a home improvement store:
Homebase
Timpson (For house key replacements)
Robert Dyas (Classified as a hardware store, but also can get small kitchen & home appliances)
If you love PetSmart/Petco/Chewy.com or need pet care supplies:
Pets at Home
Pets Corner
Fetch.co.uk
If you love AT&T/Verizon or need cell phone services:
O2
EE
Vodafone
Giffgaff (My personal UK phone service - I was able to order a SIM card from the U.S. and get my phone prepared before I even landed at Heathrow.)
If you love Lenscrafters/Warby Parker or need eyeglasses:
Specsavers
Boots Opticians
Leightons (Southern England)
If you love Barnes & Noble or need books/magazines:
If you love Best Buy or need tech equipment:
Currys PC World
Argos
If you love Casper/Purple or need a modern bed mattress or pillows:
Otty (We personally purchased their hybrid mattress and love it.)
Eve Sleep (We personally purchased their pillows, and love them. Pricier than standard pillows, but I admit I'm a little bougie when it comes to doing anything to get quality sleep. No shame in my slumber game!)
Emma
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