We've all been there. Headed to the supermarket for one thing and come out with a trolleyful of impulse buys - often minus the item we went in for.
But in recent years, the middle aisle at Lidl has raised the stakes when it comes to bizarre shopping finds, with everything from hot tubs to ice-cream makers tempting passers-by. It's the place to throw away the shopping list and indulge yourself in cycling clothes or a new bed for your pampered pet.
And when Dublin Live decided to ask shoppers at one city store about their most eccentric and exotic purchases from the legendary "middle at Lidl", they didn't disappoint. One shopper topped them all with his confession that he had emerged from the store with a forklift.
He 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 woman shopper 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 got 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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