Two food-loving Brits have shared their delight and shock after visiting some of America’s giant supermarkets that dwarf the ones they go to back home.
Kent-basaed Jason, 37, and Josh, 31, love a good supermarket trip in the UK – but nothing compares to a shopping trip to the likes of Trader Joes, Vons and Buc-ee’s when across the pond in the US.
The pair use their YouTube channel (@JJExtra) to film their trips to these grand supermarkets – and find out for themselves what all the fuss is about.
Despite visiting the States twice a year, there’s always something new to wow them when they visit US supermarkets, revealing that it ‘certainly didn’t take us long’ to find out what the hype around Trader Joes was.
The YouTubers spoke to MailOnline about their videos, what has surprised them the most and least about these supermarkets, what they wish UK stores would do the same and which stores they plan to visit next.
The one thing that always shocks Jason and Josh when they visit America is the sheer size of products available during festive periods, such as Thanksgiving and Halloween
The pair admitted that while they admitted that ‘the classic thing for a Brit to do’ would be to say that Target or Walmart is their favourite store, the pair opted for Trader Joes
Sharing their experiences on the social media platform, the pair now have more than 6.28K subscribers.
From visiting an American supermarket they had never heard of – spoiler it’s Vons – to paying a visit to Buc-ee’s, the World’s largest gas station, Jason and Josh have seen just about everything that can be sold in supermarkets.
But they admit that regardless of how many stores they walk into in the States, they’re left in awe at the amount of produce and variety that is stacked on the shelves every time.
Before the pair met, they had sperate YouTube channels, and after meeting in Florida and getting together their joint channel spawned.
They found a love for the products in the supermarket they visited, and felt natural to film their experiences.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the pair explained that as soon as they walk into a store, they are hit with an overwhelming sense of joy and happiness, and they want to translate this over to their viewers.
Josh said: ‘It is definitely the variety of food, and the size of the stores compared to ours back at home is enormous. Even the “smaller stores” are on the scale of our larger supermarkets.
And the sheer amount of products and amount of the same products that are available, in terms of flavour and variety, is a stark difference. For example, we may have a few cereals, but they have a whole aisle of different ones.’
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the pair explained that as soon as they walk into a store, such as Trader Joes, they are hit with an overwhelming sense of joy and happiness
The YouTubers have visited Trader Joes in both California and Florida and say that the stores both feel so similar, especially in terms of layout
They would definitely recommend Brits visit Trader Joes – even at least once. The content creators said that ‘with Trader Joes stuff, it is kind of the same as when you go to M&S for a bit of luxury’
But one thing that always shocks them when they visit America is the sheer size of products available during festive periods, such as Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas.
Jason said: ‘I think something they tend to do a lot bigger than us is seasonal stuff. For example, a quarter of the store can be turned into a Halloween walk through or during Christmas where they put up all sorts around the stores.
‘It is as if you’ve gone to some sort of attraction, and you think to yourself oh blimey!
‘And it’s nothing like in the UK, where you see a few Haribo sweets as in the states they go full out.’
On the contrary, the social media duo were not so surprised at ‘the amount of unhealthy food you can buy, with aisles and aisles of candy and crisps, and even the bakery sections are bigger than our entire supermarkets in the UK.’
When asked which of the supermarkets was their favourite, the pair had a surprising winner.
They both agreed ‘the classic thing for a Brit to do’ would be to say Target or Walmart, but the pair opted for Trader Joes.
The pair started their YouTube channel four years ago, and are on a mission to find out exactly why Americans are so obsessed with supermarkets such as Trader Joes, Vons and Buc-ee’s
Jason and Josh say: ‘Everyone should visit Trader Joes for a bit of luxury, especially when you’re on holiday’
Jason and Josh said that it is the chocolate covered espresso beans that keep them coming back to Trader Joes, explaining that ‘we love coffee and dark chocolate together’
Jason said: ‘The reason for that is that it is kind of like our M&S or Waitrose, but they are of higher grade than Walmart or Target – they are all made of high quality stuff.
‘Comparatively to M&S or Waitrose, its not as expensive, especially not with the branded stuff. Obviously, the most expensive stuff in the States would be fresh fruit and veggies, regardless of where you go.
‘But we have been to Trader Joes in both California and Florida and they both feel so similar, especially in terms of layout… they just feel so familiar.’
And it’s also the fact that ‘you know what you’re expecting when you go to Walmart or Target’, said Josh.
He continued: ‘But the first time we went into Trader Joes it was a different experience as you never know what you’re going to find when you step into a supermarket you’ve not been to before.’
Jason said that it is the chocolate covered espresso beans that keep them coming back to Trader Joes, explaining that ‘we love coffee and dark chocolate together, and so that’s our favourite to buy.
‘While they do them elsewhere, it’s not on the same level.’
And they would definitely recommend Brits visit Trader Joes – even at least once.
The content creators said that they ‘think most Brits tend to gravitate to Walmart or Target because they are cheaper and better known.
jason said: ‘With Trader Joes stuff, it is kind of the same as when you go to M&S for a bit of luxury.
‘Everyone should visit Trader Joes for a bit of luxury, especially when you’re on holiday.’
But there’s one thing that the pair cannot get over. And that is just how much better customer service is in the United States.
The pair made a YouTube video on themselves visiting an American supermarket they had never heard of – spoiler it’s Vons
They also paid a visit to Buc-ee’s, which is the World’s largest gas station
They admitted that there is ‘always staff, everywhere’ and they are ‘willing to interact with you and will approach you – even if you don’t approach them first.
‘And we feel that you just don’t get that in UK stores.’
And a tidbit that the pair gave was that their fridges are always full of coffee creamers – and it’s one thing they’d ‘love to see that implemented in UK stores.’
Disclosing to MailOnline where they see themselves venturing into next, Jason and Josh revealed they haven’t featured a supermarket called Publix on their YouTube channel yet.
Primarily found dotted around Florida, the pair say this store is on the ‘expensive and higher end, like our Waitorse.’
While the chain cannot be found everywhere throughout the States, it is the ‘classier feel’ that is enticing them to visit it.
And not to mention the salad and fruit platters that are available to buy, as Jason explained: ‘Over here you can get a small bowl of salad with some iceberg, carrots and a few tomatoes.
‘But we’ve heard that over there, you get massive platters filled with crumbed cheese, fresh produce and nuts for example that could feed like eight people!’
And in terms of their favourite US snacks, Jason and Josh say that it was a tough list to compile but they have settled on these items…
Sugar CookiesEverything But The Bagel Potato ChipsCinnamon Coffee Cake BitesButterfinger chocolate barBeaver Nuggets (specifically from Buc-ee’s)M & M’s (they always have flavours we can’t get here)Trail Mix (specifically Monster)Dill Pickle Potato ChipsChips Ahoy Cookies (especially Reese’s)Anything with Ranch dressing
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