American Food...

Hi there -

I know there are lots of threads about where to find certain foods in London & the UK, and I've found it really interesting that there is no American Food shop in London. The few shops that have a few items, don't carry all you need/want and tend to be expensive.

I owned a shop in Oregon where I stocked British food for the Brit expats in the area (among other things)- and most large cities in the US have a British shop...

So why not London?  Any ideas on if it would be a money-maker? I've considered opening a shop like that in London (still unemployed, but have savings) - but am really curious why no one else has tried it before.

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

Lisa

Have you heard of The Stateside Candy Co? Not sure how close it is to London though as I've never been, but I do know some of the UKY'ers from London have been recently.

Have you heard of The Stateside Candy Co? Not sure how close it is to London though as I've never been, but I do know some of the UKY'ers from London have been recently.

This place is in Aldershot which is just over an hour from Central London.   I am very lucky that its 10 minutes from my office! 

This place is in Aldershot which is just over an hour from Central London.   I am very lucky that its 10 minutes from my office! 

<jealous look>

I think American food would fly anywhere that has a decent population - but also anything obsecure - hard to get.

Even for British people if you have foods you need recipe cards to go with it - so maybe they will try other things.

I order from Skyco because it is easy but man if I had a store like HEB HA I would be in HOG heaven.

Couldnt hurt to start small but DREAM BIG!

Have you heard of The Stateside Candy Co? Not sure how close it is to London though as I've never been, but I do know some of the UKY'ers from London have been recently.

The Stateside Candy Co has less American food than the average selection in a British shop in the states. No offense, but it isn't that fantastic and the selection is hit or miss. Luckily, there are some really good internet suppliers of US stuff.

The Stateside Candy Co has less American food than the average selection in a British shop in the states. No offense, but it isn't that fantastic and the selection is hit or miss.

None taken, like I said in my post I'd never been there but some friends had and just raved about the place so I thought I'd mention it. Please forgive my ignorance.

None taken, like I said in my post I'd never been there but some friends had and just raved about the place so I thought I'd mention it. Please forgive my ignorance.

That came out harsher than I meant it to. I've always heard raves about Cybercandy, and when I went I was really disappointed. There isn't much food (mainly sugary cereal) and the candy and soda selection was touch and go. There was a lot of things you would expect them to have that they didn't. That, and the prices are quite high for what they have when compared to some other US food sources. If it is on your way I say go for it, but I wouldn't go out of your way for a visit unless you know that they have what you are looking for in stock.

I had more luck at the Canada/Australia/South Africa shop nearby - go figure! 

Maybe the import costs are what prevent the existence of a real American foods shop? That plus the mark up for profit, business costs etc might make it unreasonable?

Just a thought.

Maybe the import costs are what prevent the existence of a real American foods shop? That plus the mark up for profit, business costs etc might make it unreasonable?

I would imagine that import costs could be really prohibitive.

As an expat who has been here for nearly 10 years, I can honestly say that aside from a few desperate cravings very early on in my first year here (and those cravings were for things that simply could not be imported) I have never "needed" anything enough to pay import prices.  For things I use regularly I've always managed to find a substitute, and for the things I can't find, I simply learn to do without.

To me (and my British friends) "American food" tends to be a novelty - think Twinkies and junk like that - and not really something we'd spend money regularly on.  

Just my opinion though...

Thanks for all the input - it will really help me to decide what to do.

Thanks
Lisa

I would imagine that import costs could be really prohibitive.

As an expat who has been here for nearly 10 years, I can honestly say that aside from a few desperate cravings very early on in my first year here (and those cravings were for things that simply could not be imported) I have never "needed" anything enough to pay import prices.  For things I use regularly I've always managed to find a substitute, and for the things I can't find, I simply learn to do without.

To me (and my British friends) "American food" tends to be a novelty - think Twinkies and junk like that - and not really something we'd spend money regularly on.  

Just my opinion though...

Yeah, I have seen some American foods around in different places, but usually I get sticker shock when I see what I'd have to pay to have it, which turns me off completely. I couldn't really convince myself it would be worth spending £6 on a bottle of A-1 or £8 for a box of Lucky Charms.  I guess it all depends on what you would carry and what you would have to charge for it.

I agree that spending 8.00 pounds on Lucky Charms is ridiculous, and 3.00pounds for 6oz of Nestle's chocolate chips - which is one reason I was considering the shop.

I'm gonna have to do more research on the importing.

Thanks again.

There's a Canadian Food Shop in Covent Garden, near the Maple Leaf Pub (if you want to watch hockey). I find the food is expensive and usually near it's sell by date, but it has been a long, long time since I lived in London, so maybe things have changed.
http://www.angloaustraliantrading.com/Canadashop/CAdefault.aspx

ETA: it's not quite what the OP is asking for, but there may be similarities!

Now that is good to know about!  And their prices are cheaper than most American imported goods.  Plus they have Kraft dinner, which my husband loves.

Not that I use it, but why is Crisco always so expensive to buy on these import sites/stores?  It's not like it's got a short shelf life or has animal products in it.  I think I bought it twice in my adult life, but every time I see it here, my jaw drops at the price.

I am glad that I sort of got over the American food thing, but now if we moved from where we are, I'd probably miss the American things that they inexplicably sell in our Sainsbury's.