Grocery shopping

Whether you enjoy browsing the aisles or just want to grab the basics, there are plenty of food shopping options on and near campus. You’ll find a mix of large supermarkets, smaller specialist stores, and outdoor markets offering fresh produce and international ingredients.

Don’t forget to bring your own reusable bags - it’s better for the environment and saves you from paying 10–20p per bag at the checkout.

Shopping in Reading

International Food

Reading is a multicultural town with a wide variety of shops selling food and ingredients from all over the world. Whether you're looking for familiar brands from home or new flavours to explore, you'll find plenty of options in and around town.

Here are just a few places recommended by students:

- Honey & Ghee (Shinfield Road) - offers Indian, African, and Pakistani groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, halal meat, fresh fish, and Pooja items.

- SeeWoo Supermarket - a large store specialising in Southeast Asian ingredients and cooking equipment.

- Reading Farmers’ Market - held at the Cattle Market, this market offers fresh, local produce and regional treats.

- Global Foods & Groceries - sells a range of products from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, and China.

- Istanbul Food Centre –- stocks Eastern European and Middle Eastern products, including halal meat.

- Safari Sunrise Village Farm Shop (Berkshire) - offers a wide selection of South African groceries, including biltong and other familiar favourites.

- Just Fresh - recommended by students for its wide range of African groceries, particularly Nigerian ingredients.

- RISC (Reading International Solidarity Centre) - a unique fair trade shop offering ethical refills and food items from around the world, with a strong focus on Middle Eastern products.

The Muslim Centre at the University can also offer recommendations for halal shops and restaurants in the area.

Online shopping

Many large UK supermarkets offer online shopping and will deliver directly to your accommodation - perfect if you don’t have time to go to the shops or need to stock up.

You can order groceries online from:

- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Ocado
- Morrisons (directly or via Amazon Prime)

There’s usually a small delivery fee, but some stores offer free delivery for your first order, special student deals or discounts - so keep an eye out for introductory offers when signing up.

Tip: You may need to book delivery slots in advance, especially at busy times like weekends.

Supermarkets

You’ll find a wide range of supermarkets in Reading, from budget-friendly to premium, with plenty of choice depending on your needs and budget. Here’s a quick guide to some of the main options near campus:

- Asda, Lower Early - a large supermarket offering a wide selection of groceries along with extra services like a pharmacy, café, travel money bureau, and opticians.

- Morrisons, Basingstoke Road, - slightly smaller than Asda but still well-stocked with fresh food and essentials.

- Aldi, Basingstoke Road - one of the most affordable supermarkets in the UK. While it offers fewer options, it’s great for basic ingredients like rice, pasta, and vegetables.

- Tesco - Tesco has large stores slightly further from campus that stock groceries, clothes, homeware, gifts, and more. These stores often include cafés, pharmacies, opticians, and phone shops. Find out more about the nearest Tesco Extra.
Closer to campus, you’ll also find Tesco Express branches - smaller convenience stores that are open daily, usually until 11pm.

- Sainsbury’s - similar to Tesco in size and services, with both large stores and smaller Sainsbury’s Local branches closer to campus. The Local stores are also typically open until 11pm. Find your nearest Sainsbury's.

- Marks & Spencer (M&S) - known for higher-quality food, M&S has several ‘Simply Food’ stores across Reading, plus a large town centre branch that also sells clothes. Prices are generally higher, but the food is often considered premium.

More information on specific supermarket locations and how to get there.