The phrase "supermarket wars" is usually used to describe the battle to attract the most customers and usually involves using price as a weapon, however, last week two UK supermarket brands engaged in a very different kind of war.
It all began when a Twitter user took to the social media site to pose what she must have assumed was an innocent question:
Which is better @AldiUK or @LidlUK ? #questiontime
— Emily (@emzfrances) August 1, 2017
Little did she know she was about to start a flame war between the two well-known supermarket chains. Aldi were the first to respond.
It's us. pic.twitter.com/DGdPlpzXDB
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) August 1, 2017
But Lidl weren't going to take it lying down.
Sorry to break it to you... pic.twitter.com/2wEBraqGuq
— @LidlGB (@LidlGB) August 2, 2017
We (respectfully) disagree.... pic.twitter.com/PKrelYdFpe
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) August 2, 2017
We have no other choice... pic.twitter.com/95bTFLENFI
— @LidlGB (@LidlGB) August 3, 2017
Twitter users watched on in amazement as the two continued to use gifs to try and get the better of each other.
You got nothing on us... pic.twitter.com/5DmEFEDNlp
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) August 3, 2017
Are you sure you can handle these moves... pic.twitter.com/JxmtC1lECg
— @LidlGB (@LidlGB) August 3, 2017
We invented those moves... pic.twitter.com/TrnEjeel5K
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) August 3, 2017
When online retailer Monster Shop's social media team got involved, they dragged in two more supermarkets with unexpected results.
You don't see these kind of bants from @waitrose or @marksandspencer pic.twitter.com/ydcDUNVEP1
— MonsterShop (@MonsterGroupUK) August 3, 2017
The M&S Twitter account waded in with their take on a popular Spongebob meme.
'YoU dON't SeE tHEse kINd oF baNTS fROm M&s' 😉 pic.twitter.com/HPTNdvpJif
— M&S (@marksandspencer) August 3, 2017
And when Waitrose tried to join in, the M&S team were taking no prisoners with their response.
We're late to the game tonight but we've saved the best 'til last .... chin chin pic.twitter.com/RKaiZwh3lg
— Waitrose & Partners (@waitrose) August 3, 2017
When it takes 4 hours to think of 'that' reply 😉 pic.twitter.com/sNOaxd3pzB
— M&S (@marksandspencer) August 3, 2017
Eventually, Aldi decided to lay down arms and offer the arm of friendship.
Maybe it's time for us to kiss and make up? pic.twitter.com/M6blPsNgwk
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) August 3, 2017
— @LidlGB (@LidlGB) August 3, 2017
Twitter users were united in their praise for the social media teams involved.
Round of applause for the SM managers here. pic.twitter.com/GZh2XWZUue
— Kellie Dawson (@BigFashionista) August 3, 2017
But most agreed that M&S were the real winners.
M&S just sweeping through like pic.twitter.com/SkP9ByqRVI
— Rosh (@RoshalPatel) August 10, 2017
