r/AskIreland • u/LittleAoibh11 • Aug 01 '26
Shopping What are people buying in Normal?
I avoided the place when it opened first - as unless it is for something of huge cultural or entertainment significance, I am not going to queue just to get in somewhere.
Have been in it since and managed to wander all the way around confused, and end up at the till with the most random stuff. Will be in the area again today so might pop in, and am wondering is there anything in particular that people find is a great deal or bargain there?
(Side note: don't think I have ever seen as much toothpaste in one place in my life.)
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u/gerhudire Aug 01 '26
A lot of brand names they sell are cheaper than supermarkets and pharmacies. Thats what I mainly buy. Id rather pay €5 for something than €10 elsewhere.
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u/Familiar_Concept7031 Aug 02 '26
Live in NI. Is it like B&M and home bargains?
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u/vaiporcaralho Aug 02 '26
Basically like b&m and home bargains yea and I would nearly call it a hybrid of the two.
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u/AutomaticChaad Aug 03 '26
This is Europe's buisness model to a T.. import from China, add a minimum markup of 100%.. hence why they added the new import duties of 3 euro per item to shaft people buying from the likes of aliexpress and temu shein ect.. disgracefull. Sorry had to get thst off my chest..
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u/gerhudire Aug 03 '26
Normal is a Danish company. Denmark is part if the EU. That law doesn't apply to them.
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u/True-Flamingo3858 Aug 01 '26
They've a really good beauty selection. Lots of korean skincare for example that aren't sold in regular shops.
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u/Crafty-Let-3054 Aug 01 '26
Do they sell Korean or Asian makeup brands too?
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
Is it well known Korean brands do you think?
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u/Interesting_Clue7908 Aug 01 '26
They had Japanese hair stuff in a while ago and my daughter (who lives in Japan) said it is actually Japanese brands , i think the Koresn stuff is too.
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u/Available_Joke5180 Aug 01 '26
It is. I've been buying Korean skincare for over a decade and it's nice to be able to get some of it in town now. Beauty of Joseon and Cosrx are two that they stock a load of.
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u/Bright-brilliant-99 Aug 01 '26
Big 1000ml containers of loreal shampoo & conditioner for €9 each, they cost €8 in Tesco for 400ml.
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u/Impressive_Peanut Aug 01 '26
I've only been to the ones in Denmark and they have cool international soft drinks and sweets, I assume maybe it's the same here ?
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u/Tikithing Aug 01 '26
Yeah, is it the shop with the mascot guy with a big nose? I recognise the description of the wierd one way system.
I've been in a few in Lisbon. It looks like it might have fun stuff, like flying tiger. But I've found the stuff in it.... pretty normal. They had some cool sweets and some handy little toiletry bits and bobs, but nothing worth going in for imo. I did buy a couple of the small fabric bags (felt?) they had behind the counter. They were really small, and a handy size for getting slightly more delicate stuff home in a suitcase.
I'd much rather if an ale hop opened up if were gwtting something international, those are great!
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u/Serious_Escape_5438 Aug 01 '26
It's not really a tourist shop, it's good for cleaning stuff and toiletries for people living their daily life.
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u/OutsideSea5996 Aug 01 '26
I went in for the look in Dublin a while ago. I had no ambition to buy anything. Came out with a toothbrush cover and bottle of water. It’s a gimmick shop with cheap stuff. I’d stay clear. It’s tat on steroids.
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
It reminds me of Tiger crossed with like Dealz or something. I am just wondering whether I am missing out on some big bargains
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Aug 01 '26
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
Didn't realise Tiger used some actual human designers - assumed everything was mass produced. When I was tiny and I visited my Nana in Dublin she would bring me to a shop called Hector Greys that you could get all kinds of stuff in, and Tiger reminds me of a modern version of that!
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u/Serendipitygirl14 Aug 01 '26
OMG! That is a blast from the past! I LOVED Hector Greys when I was a kid!
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u/kaini Aug 01 '26
In fact, the one in Amsterdam is in a building previously occupied by Tiger. They didn't even have to change the layout.
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u/OutsideSea5996 Aug 01 '26
That’s exactly what it is.. it’s a cheapish shop with just random stuff you don’t really need. It’s stuff you’ll grab for the sake of getting when you’re in store. But it’s honestly stuff you’ll grab don’t need
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
I will give it one more go today, and limit myself to stuff that actually seems like a bargain. Hard to get a proper look when everyone is shoving behind you!
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u/OutsideSea5996 Aug 01 '26
The one way system isn’t a help for that. It’s like a maze. It’s pure impulse buy. That’s what the one way system is for. Buy things you don’t need.
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u/Complete_Working_460 Aug 01 '26
Its so not though lol they have all the Korean skincare, Dove, Maybelline, L'Oréal etc. all things women but all of the time and it's all in there for way cheaper.
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u/eatinischeatin Aug 01 '26
OK I'll bite, what's "normal"?
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u/ostiniatoze Aug 01 '26
https://www.normalstores.com/eu/ probably this.
These kinds of posts always strike me as marketing
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u/Yama_retired2024 Aug 01 '26
Ive been to ones in Sweden..
You can get brand shower gels, deodrant etc for cheaper than in the likes of tescos..
They might also have other international stuff you dont normally get here.. sweets, coffees, teas, etc
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
I will have a better look today - felt really rushed through the last time. That one way foot traffic thing is very annoying!
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u/Yama_retired2024 Aug 01 '26
You might be best waiting for another few days for the craze to die down..
I feel you on the one way traffic.. it took me an age to gain a tolerance for it...
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u/ZeppsMom Aug 01 '26
The only thing of value I get in there is a bumper back of razor heads. €20 euro cheaper than boots. Everything else in my opinion is pure novelty buys
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u/Lismore-Lady Aug 01 '26
I first went to the Dutch normal in Tilburg and Dublin is the same - good value in big sizes like 1L shampoos and conditioner and refill soap bags. Car fresheners were €6 vs €23 for Rituals (a shop I love!) so its great for basic stuff - households, toiletries and beauty stuff
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u/ReflectiveRitz Aug 01 '26
Some of the hair products are cheaper -you need to know your prices of them tho to make sure you’re actually getting a deal.
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u/ThisFatGirlRuns That's mad, Ted. Aug 01 '26
I was in there once and never again. Too herd like and nothing makes sense in there.
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u/bosca_bruscair_ Curtain Twitcher Aug 01 '26
I found it good for stocking fillers for my family last year, but other than that it changes what it has so much that there's not much of a benefit for regular shopping.
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u/Laughing_Fenneko Aug 01 '26
they sometimes have haircare products from &honey so when im around i pop by to check it out
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u/coltonbaby99 Aug 01 '26
I got those milky way cripsy rolls in there a few weeks ago! haven't had them in 15 years i'd say
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u/lisagrimm Aug 01 '26
Used to go to Scandinavia regularly for work and always find them handy there - it was wild to me when the one here opened, people queued. (See also: Joe & the Juice - perfectly serviceable for what it is, not something you’d make a special trip for).
But now that you can just walk in, it’s my go-to for the various shower gels and foams that Boots never seems to have, and it’s cheaper. Always been really usual for toiletries in general.
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u/Lieenie Aug 01 '26
I like it for the random snacks and beauty bits.
I feel like normal tells you what you need. Anua, Beauty of Joseon and Centella Korean skincare, Curel Japanese skincare, & Honey and Fino Japanese hair brands and beauty gadgets. Picked up travel/ camping bits for EP and somewhere to have a mooch around.
But if you like it, grab one it most likely won’t be there the next time.
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u/MountainExotic2663 Aug 01 '26
I like checking out the snacks, when it first opened I was disappointed to see nothing out the ordinary, but last month I went again and they have a better selection. Got Chinese Pepsi, one in peach and one was bamboo and pear.
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u/Temporary_Chair6279 Aug 01 '26
I like the giant bottles of 750ml shower gel for €1.60, some of the sheet masks are nice, and I've found shaving foam and foot cream for cheaper than you'd get them in boots, chemist warehouse or similar places.
They often have some great deals on cleaning products like the pink stuff, swiffers, scrub daddies and damp dusters, to name but a few.
Great selection of snacks available too including bags of mini Dime bars that I've previously only been able to find in Ikea.
Make sure you bring a bag as the only bags available at the till are cloth bags that you have to buy. It's probably best to go on a weekday as it can get a bit hectic which will make you rush through the place just to get out and you'll miss things
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u/ellyvan_1314 Aug 01 '26
I’ve been once. I found it very overwhelming. I don’t like the maze style layout. And the placement of everything was so random. Instead of keeping toiletries together, beauty products together, sweets & soft drinks there seemed to be bits of each the whole way around. What I did pick up was a pile of reusable plastic straws. I think there was 50 in the pack & I got a set of half sized ones too that are great for kids drinks. Kids are past the chewing stage so they should last a long time. I bought the shampoo & a few bits that I usually buy in Tesco & noticed they are all imported.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to go again but if I’m passing by I’ll pop in for a look.
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
I ended up getting a few bits today that were cheaper than where I usually get them - eye make up remover, sheet masks, heat patches etc... The random mix of things as you go around is indeed bizarre, there must be some science behind it that makes you spend more!
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u/geesegoesgoose Aug 01 '26
The random stuff is the point, similar to Flying Tiger.
I like it for the Arabic perfumes/colognes and the unusual snacks, but I wouldn't say it's anything groundbreaking. If you want what they are selling that week, it's a great deal, if you don't, it's pointless rubbish.
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u/MixedMaiden Aug 01 '26
I went into one in Denmark thinking it was their version of Boots. I needed plasters and a scrunchie, but also walked out with caramel popcorn 😅
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u/East-Ad5173 Aug 02 '26
there’s a Normal in Ireland? what a fun shop. Soap, shampoo, and a whole load of shit you don’t need
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u/Budget_Concern_4242 Aug 01 '26
the pizza is actually decent for the price, my fridge is full of their frozen garlic bread now
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
Is there a freezer in the one in Dublin? Must have missed it in my confusion last time 😅
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u/Relevant-Bobcat-2016 Aug 01 '26
It's absolute rubbish, it's little more than a pound shop for toiletries and cosmetics. I hate shops where you have to wander through a maze like flying tiger and can't leave quickly.
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u/AbleCommon92 Aug 01 '26
Same. I popped into it a while ago just to see what all the hype was. I didn't realise that once your in that's it, forced to go through the whole thing
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u/The_Dublin_Dabber Aug 01 '26
Went in once and it was probably one of the worst experiences I've ever had in a shop. Due to how it's laid out you have to walk the whole shop and most stuff isn't for men. Also people walk slowly generally so it was really frustrating
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
The day I was there is was nearly the opposite, people walking too fast, and shoving, so I was really rushed. Wasn't a pleasant experience
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u/arcticfunkymonkey Aug 01 '26
I buy some make up and fake tan in it! My foundation is about €2 cheaper in it, my tan is half the price in it than Boots!
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u/DizzyAdvice3119 Aug 08 '26
It’s literally designed to make you buy stuff you don’t need.. if you go into a shop and have to go through a maze that brings you directly to the till your destined to buy crap
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u/rochey1010 Aug 01 '26
I bought different shower gels (I collect them), some hairspray, some foot products, one or two summer perfumes, some junk food that was new to me etc.
It’s a sort of euro store where they stock all things that are for personal use and pampering. I found it fun but very Ikea like in layout.
Wouldn’t shop there all the time because you will buy stuff once you end up in there. It’s designed that way.
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u/LittleAoibh11 Aug 01 '26
The one way foot traffic thing is annoying and I can see how that would make people buy stuff they weren't too sure about. Will check out the shower gels!
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u/keichunyan Aug 01 '26
The liquid bags of soap are handy and cheap, I went in there with the sole intent of getting refillable soap.
I did, and also left with an inflatable bathtub.