New Yorker living in London reveals what she loves about UK shops

Posted on : 11/25/2023
New Yorker living in London reveals what she loves about UK shops
Travel 

‘I’d cry with joy if M&S was in America – but the U.S has better hangover cures’: New Yorker living in London reveals what she loves about UK shops (and what they could sell more of to help drinkers)

  • Victoria Prieto told the Mail why she finds British grocery shops ‘amazing’
  • On a TikTok video, she presented some of her favourite treats from M&S
  • READ MORE: The best 100 cities on the planet ranked – and London is No.1

‘I would cry with joy if Marks & Spencer was in America.’

So says Victoria Prieto, an American living in London who spoke to MailOnline Travel about the differences between shops in the UK and her native country – and why America offers better hangover cures.

Ms Prieto, a self-confessed grocery store aficionado (as her @victoriaabroad TikTok biog states), says that she finds UK grocery stores ‘amazing’, revealing that she enjoys ‘walking through an M&S, Tesco or Sainsbury’s’, but reserves the most passion for M&S – and Gail’s bakeries.

‘Those two are my ultimate favs,’ she reveals.

In a TikTok video, the 34-year-old presented some of her favourite treats from the former – items, she pointed out, that aren’t available in the States.

Victoria Prieto (above), an American living in London, spoke to MailOnline Travel about the differences between shops in the UK and her native country – and why America offers better hangover cures

First out of her M&S carrier bag was a small, packaged salad, with dressing, followed by a ‘Bang Bang Noodle Slaw’ and Millionaire’s Bites (‘these are the best, so tasty’) and Percy Pig sweets.

Offering further explanation for her love of British grocery stores, the New Yorker said: ‘UK grocery stores provide smaller quantities and more affordable options compared to U.S grocery stores. For example, meal deals, dinner packs and so forth.

‘Also, UK grocery stores have more options for foie gras and pate. These would only be found in an expensive American cheese/meat section.

‘I also love how many ready-made cakes there are available in all UK grocery stores. I wish I had a reason to buy them. They’re all so colourful and cute.’

Ms Prieto, a self-confessed lover of grocery stores (as her @victoriaabroad TikTok profile biog states), says that she finds UK grocery stores ‘amazing’


In a TikTok video, Victoria presented some of her favourite treats from the former – items, she pointed out, that aren’t available in the States. First out of her M&S carrier bag was a small, packaged salad, with dressing, followed by a ‘Bang Bang Noodle Slaw’ and Millionaire’s Bites (‘these are the best, so tasty’) and Percy Pig sweets

She continued: ‘It seems like you guys [Brits] are really keen on sausage rolls, pork pies, mashed potatoes and Scotch eggs, while a lot of those would be rare to find in an American supermarket. Though not mashed potatoes.’

Victoria, who is Senior Campaign Manager at The Influencer Marketing Factory, is also a fan of the shopping culture in Britain – and Europe – in general.

She explained: ‘I think British people and Europeans buy more on a daily basis versus a weekly basis. Americans buy in bulk and I think it’s a nicer, slower way of life to buy what’s needed and be able to walk to the grocery store a couple of days later and get more fresh produce.’

However, there is one area where Victoria feels America is the outright winner – hangover cures.

She explained: ‘The U.S does hangover cures better. I’m sorry I have to say it. It might come from a really simple fact that Americans just have larger portions. And who doesn’t want a large, fat and greasy portion of food when hungover?

‘But the main difference is bagels. Bagels are a huge part of American culture, specifically New York City, where I am from.

‘Bagels can be found on every street corner and they’re easy to deliver on any ordering app, but here in the UK they’re hard to find.

‘It would be my ultimate goal to open up a bagel and iced coffee shop in the UK, to introduce the New York style of bagels and coffee.

‘Our iced coffee… is iced coffee and not an iced latte. And we have bagels that are doughy, chewy, creamy and satisfying for any meal – but especially a hangover.’

Are there any outlets in America that she feels Brits would love if they set up shop in the UK?

Victoria said: ‘I think the UK would love Trader Joe’s – it offers such unique snacks, health food and creative items. Erewhon is great, too, just super pricey.’ 

For more from Victoria visit her TikTok profile and Instagram account – @thedailyvictoria.

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