There was a time when the most exotic item available in the supermarket was French cheese - but it’s a bit different today.
The phenomenal middle aisle in Lidl supplies everything and everything from hot tubs to ice-cream makers.
It’s a place where people can take a break from reading their shopping lists and getting the essentials. It’s where you can ask yourself whether you need the new gym gear or guest mattress.
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It’s a distracting place and you can end up with a lot of discretionary items.
We asked some Dublin shoppers what’s the strangest thing they’ve bought there.
One man said: “I went in for milk and I ended up buying a remote control forklift. It was for me.”
Another man said: "I went in there a few minutes ago to buy a bunch of flowers for my wife and I came out with €35 worth of stuff.
“I came out with a tool box and a set of screwdrivers. That’s me going into Lidl to spend a fiver.”
A lady added: “A bin, a helmet, you name it. Anything there I buy if it’s on special offer.”
Someone else said: “A drill. I didn’t go to buy a drill and I don't think I've used it either. Handy to have it.”
A fifth person said: “A rock salt lamp. It’s a rock with salt and there’s a lamp in it.”
Other people came out with a strimmer and an ottoman.
But some bought useful items such as: “a bath seat for my mam. She’s used it so many times”, another “bought a 3.5 double duvet”.
She said it’s “brilliant, lovely and light, very cool, just what I wanted and I couldn't get it that low anywhere else.”
A final person bought “A double electric blanket and it has a timer. It was only around €20 and it’s the best thing in the winter.
“I love the middle aisle.”
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