Shopping in London: From Harrods to the Supermarket

The bags weren't needed for purchased items - those were already bagged up - the customers wanted the bags simply because they were from Harrods and are a status symbol. But for security reasons, and probably for the betterment of the environment, the cashier couldn't just give the bags away, so additional purchases were made and bagged.

The store covers more than 4.5 acres, has more than 1 million square-feet of selling space, employs 4,000 people of 72 different nationalities staffing 330 departments. There are some pricey items there, but also inexpensive things to take home to the kids, such as Paddington teddy bears and watches for less than $20 U.S.

Paddington Bear was created in London in 1956 by Michael Bond, who was inspired by a lone teddy bear on a toy store shelf. He bought the bear for his wife as a Christmas present and subsequently wrote books about the bear, turning it into a British icon, with TV programs and a slew of clothing, toys and gifts for children.

For a shopping experience on the other end of the spectrum, try a supermarket, specifically Sainsbury's.

When I said I wanted to see what a grocery store in England was like, I was told the request was unusual, although not the strangest one ever made.

Sainsbury's was a satisfyingly different experience. It can be a one-stop shopping trip because it sells clothing for the whole family, including shoes, underwear, jackets, pants and shirts. It's not a Wal-Mart Supercenter, but anyone wanting to purchase a flat-screen TV, an electric cooker, printers or toys will find a nice selection.

England, especially London, I'm told, is an expensive place to live. I didn't compare all the prices at Sainsbury's with grocery store prices in the U.S., but they have us beat on the cost of cheese.

First of all, they have more of it. The first clue was seeing a big chunk of Havarti in the deli with a price tag of less than two pounds (a little more in U.S dollars).

In the non-deli cheese aisle there were packages of Laughing Cow and Babybel cheese for 1 pound. Unless you find a really good sale in the U.S., you might pay anywhere from $3.99 to $6.99 for the same thing. My regret was not packing a suitcase full to bring home.

Mid-way through the shopping trip, we were looking at display of golden bread, when a roll fell to the floor. To my mild surprise, a man kicked the bread like it was a rabid hockey puck, accidentally slamming it into my friend's shoe. Without looking up or uttering a word, the man doggedly kicked the bread again, satisfied only when it landed up against the wall. It was a moment those who people-watch (you know you do!) live for.

It was interesting to see food not typically found in the U.S. including HP Brown Sauce (I was told in no uncertain terms that nothing in the U.S. compares to it, including A-1), frozen steak and kidney pie, frozen Shepherd's pie, as well as sauces and mixes.

But pretty much, people were the same there as here, pushing buggies down the aisles looking for good deals and a way to stretch the pound until payday. And then of course there's the people watching.