One thing I've noticed is that Americans have such a larger range of products. You guys have things I've never even heard of. In the UK I might have seen maybe 2-3 of those biscuits you posted. You go around Europe and you just don't get the same range. There are products and flavours that you will only get in the US. I could go to the local corner shop and the crisps, drinks, chocolates are pretty-much the same as they were 5-10 years ago. You can't get Mountain Dew here as an example. And Throwback Pepsi? massive wtf moment when I heard about that on the net.
I suspect this has something to do with the relatively larger size of grocery stores and shops in the USA. Lots of empty land -> big houses, big stores -> lots of room for different products on the shelves. If you are in Europe and running a grocery that's 1/5 the size of an American one, you have to be very picky about what you do and don't put on your shelves. Only guaranteed hot sellers are worth the space. That said, there doesn't seem to be any shortage of junk food available in Europe. I practically live on Doner Kebabs when I visit, and various European countries are famous for certain high-cal/high-fat/high-sugar treats (chocolate, pastries, foie gras, etc.). Huh... never noticed that. No wonder you guys aren't more EXTREME!!!!!!1111111oneoneoneoneoneoneone! Although, according to Wikipedia, Mountain Dew returned to the UK last year, and Ireland this year. I guess they market it as an "energy drink" now, instead of a regular soda?
First time I ever tasted it was in Pakistan back in 2007, when I came back to the UK I looked for it everywhere but couldn't find any. Actually considered buying it online from some website that sells American sodas and candies. Recently I've seen Mountain Dew Energy, but that doesn't taste like the original, it also comes in bottles rather than cans. Fizzy drinks always taste better in cans. Potato chips/crisps? yeh, we have a lot of different brands and flavours. You've been to Europe and live in the US so I'll have to accept that point about there being smaller stores in Europe. In our household we do the main shopping maybe once a week, and we go to our local corner shop for smaller things like milk, bread, eggs etc. it is more expensive at the local shop so we only pick up a few things, we don't buy crisps or chocolates there (you can't buy multipacks anyway) as it would work out to be too much. And yes, there is plenty of junk food available. Its much easier and cheaper to eat kebabs and burgers then proper wholesome food. Yeh, just had a look, its called Mountain Dew Energy, comes in a bottle and I can say it definitely doesn't taste like the real thing, I've bought it a couple times but not anymore, can't fool me. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! We had coca-cola and lime for a limited period, I really liked that drink. Also, I can't seem to find any gatorade.
Oh my you HAVE been fed some ridiculous stories about the UK and its weather. In every single year that I have been alive, for example, I've seen ice cubes melting during the Summer months. That's hot enough for us!
I'm sure they trialed Mountain Dew for a while; I seem to recall surprise at seeing it and a cult popularity amongst those who'd been to the states. Never really took off though. Gatorade on the other hand seems to be going ok. Has Hersheys made it to the UK yet?
I had not realized the scale of the Hershey Company, which exports to over 90 countries, with approximately 13,700 employees and net sales in excess of $4 billion.
