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Shop selling all-vegan products, including clothes and footwear, beauty and health, specialty and gluten-free foods, confectionery, nuts, and grains. Delivery available. Physical store closed September 2024 - online sales only. Open Mon-Sat 09:30-17:30, Sun 11:00-17:00.
36 Reviews
First Review by SandraR
hannearts
Points +5020
Horrible recent experience - Edit
Horrible experience recently. I don’t say that lightly, and this may well be my first negative review on a vegan company. Where possible, I'm all for praising and supporting and recommending vegan services.
Read moreFirst of all, the order was supposed to arrive mid/late January. This was clearly stated across the website, likely due to high demand around Christmas.
However, the order arrived three weeks (!) early, just as I was about to leave and wouldn’t be home for the Christmas period. Had it arrived two days later, no one would have been there to accept it. This change was not communicated in any way and was highly impractical, especially considering many of the items would have gone off. I had to stuff everything into my overfull freezer to prevent spoilage.
Secondly, the jam jar (which was very pricey) arrived broken. It had not been insulated in any way and was placed right at the side of the box, so it felt almost inevitable that it would break. The other items were covered in jam and shards of glass.
When I raised this issue, instead of offering a monetary refund, I was given a £5 voucher to cover the cost of the jam jar. This would not even cover shipping on a future order and felt inadequate. Communication about this overall was not up to standard.
All in all, I love the brands represented on this website. However, this recent experience makes me think twice about recommending the company or ordering from them again.
Pros: Great selection of vegan snacks etc
Cons: Horrible communication + recent experience
Guest
happycow9621
Points +20
Great small vegan business - Edit
Always quickly delivered. All vegan and great products you can’t get in supermarkets. Cheezy baked beans, vegan ham / roasts and also chocolate or sweets some of things available.
Read morePros: Quick delivery, All vegan
Guest
ffigan
Points +7671
Family Owned Online Vegan Health Food Store! - Edit
Alternative Stores is a former brick and morter store, which is now exclusively an online store dispatching worldwide from the UK.
Read moreThe online store is fully vegan, and they carry international brands such as Tofurkey, Vego, Oatly, Rhythm 108, and Frys well as smaller independent UK brands like Jeavons, Clives, One Planet Pizza and Benevo.
I placed a large order on their easy to use website, although dispatch took longer than stated, the delivery was speedy. My order had chilled and frozen goods, and thermal packaging and ice packs were used to keep the produce in the best shape possible. Everything I ordered was in my package, including the invoice used to check off the items by the packer (I find this oddly comforting). Also, in my parcel were additional products I didn't order or expect, such as a block of Taifun Smoked Tofu, 500g of Vio-Life Southern Fried Chckn Goujons and 2 blocks of Tyne Chease Classic Smoked Apple. This was a nice surprise, and I really appreciated this gesture from a small business.
I will definitely order from Alternative Stores again, as their website is really user-friendly. They carry such a wide array of products and supporting vegan businesses, especially independent vegan business is something I aim to do as much as possible! 🌱
Updated from previous review on 2025-11-19
Pros: Nice Range, Fast Delivery, Easy To Use Website, Free Products Included With Order
Cons: Lots of Unavailable Products on Website, Slow Dispatch
Guest
restival
Points +567
Brilliant store - Edit
Such a friendly place with so much choice.
Read moreGuest
helzhelz
Points +20
Excellent range - Edit
Excellent range of vegan goodies from food, to household supplies (including refills - bring your own bottle) and a range of shoes.
Read moreReally friendly helpful staff. Always nice to be able to browse and select items in person in store, and try something new!
Guest
PaulaHP
Points +38
First time visit - Edit
Wide range of vegan food, household items and toiletries.
Read moreVery friendly and informative staff. Canny selection of shoes as well.
Pros: Reasonable prices, Wide range of stock, Informative staff
Guest
KaterinaLouisa
Points +5230
Excellent - Edit
Everything you’re looking for under one roof! Stocks a wide range of harder to find products - I love the Jeavons bars, Beau’s Gelato and Kinda cheeses. Staff are very friendly and helpful
Read moreGuest
lils.rock
Points +1113
Brilliant vegan shop - Edit
I’ve ordered online from them before and they have a great range of vegan food that you can’t get in normal shops 😍 #Veganuary
Read moreGuest
anonn
Points +96
Brilliant shop - Edit
Amazing one stop vegan shop, has everything you need and more.
Read moreGuest
Yeri
Points +5850
One of my favorites in England - Edit
The shop offers SO MANY vegan items, eateries and even dog food and snacks! It also has a refill station in the corner😄Absolutely one of my favorite places in the UK. Also the owner has been vegan for 50 years, what a legend!
Read moreGuest
BlueberryStuart
Points +101
One-Stop Vegan Shop - Edit
Alternative Stores provide vegans with a superstore. You walk in knowing that everything is vegan-friendly and eco-friendly.
Read moreDan John & Zahra are a lovely father-daughter duo with a lifetime of lived experience as vegans; they know what they are talking about.
No more awkward conversations with shop assistants, explaining what 'vegan' is.
No more waiting with a product in your hand whilst you look up whether or not it is vegan.
You can trust that anything in stock does not come from livestock!
You can get anything from cleaning products to consumables. They also stock vegan footwear - including hiking boots, work shoes and trainers.
There is an excellent selection of groceries.
If you don't need any of the typical essentials, they have a substantial collection of treats. Their variety of chocolates is terrific. There is something for everyone here. You have a plethora of choice.
There is also a discount section which we frequently find useful. It is always a pleasant place to peruse.
If you are vegan and/or have special dietary requirements, Alternative Stores have everything you need when you want to 'pop to the shop'.
Pros: 100% Vegan, Great Choice, Friendly Staff
Guest
mariamc27
Points +2518
So much choice - Edit
It was like vegan heaven
Read moreGuest
JaDon
Points +131
Great location - Edit
Love this store. So much choice and the staff are very friendly and helpful. They also have a loyalty card system. Managed to pick up lots of christmas treats for my son. Next door to VegBox so able to go for cake and a cuppa after a shop. So pleased its moved premises
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-12-03
Pros: Great location , Helpful staff, Plenty of choice
Guest
AbiM
Points +5374
Great new location - Edit
Great to visit them at the new, new location. We have shopped with them for years😄
Read moreGuest
Claredc
Points +27
Love this shop - Edit
Great range of vegan foods. All your basics. Especially love the selection of cheeses and ice creams. Good for gifts and treats too like chocolates. And they sell shoes!
Read moreFriendly helpful staff.
Pros: Entirely vegan, Close to public transport links, Free carpark
Guest
Laurenzoe
Points +52
Loads to choose from - Edit
Only went for a couple of things, and came out with a bag full! There’s lots to choose from, and many things that are hard to get hold of from the likes of a supermarket.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan product , Zero waste beauty
Guest
AndyWhitehead
Points +22
Lost Customer - Edit
Alternative Stores - once a stalwart of my online shopping.
Read moreHowever, since moving into new premises they now have 2 separate delivery charges for their chilled/frozen produce which equates to handily an extra fiver in their greedy hands.
Add this onto the £4.99 DPD delivery charge that's £10 for delivery for even 1 pack of say frozen sausages and one pack of chilled produce!
Absolutely shocking considering that never charged separately before. I guess it's to pay the rent in their new swanky premises.
You're gonna lose customers, you have with me and at least one more I know.
Learn a lesson from Vbites, £1.99 next day DPD and frozen box....
RumDude
There was always an extra charge for frozen
Read moreGuest
Cycle_Sarah
Points +60
Welcome discovery - Edit
I’ve recently started shopping here and will continue. Good selection of vegan food, ingredients, toiletries and shoes. I usually have a look at there website before visiting to get an idea of what they have to save time. Staff are really friendly and knowledgeable.
Read moreGuest
SquareRoots
Points +165
Brilliant Supplier - Edit
An Aladdin's cave of vegan products. Brilliant suppliers and very friendly owners. Prices are great too. We highly recommend.
Read morePros: Cant think of anything vegan they dont stock 😀
Cons: None
Guest
KathrynDaviesKemp
Points +203
Brilliant range of vegan goods - Edit
Amazing vegan shop, totally recommend.
Read morePros: So many choices all vegan, Great staff, Always get in new products quickly
Guest
strettle
Points +348
A vegans dream! - Edit
From shoes and clothing to a full grocery shop, this store has everything a vegan may need aside from fresh bread/fruit & veg. Great range of chocolate and sweets and things you’ll likely have never seen before!
Read morePros: Huge choice you won’t find in supermarkets, Knowledgeable staff
Guest
newcastlehypnotherapy
Points +110
Great Place - Edit
Everything a vegan needs
Read morePros: great choice, friendly staff
Guest
crashingwaves
Points +142
One stop shop for vegan specialty foods - Edit
We are so lucky to have this shop in Newcastle. They are so friendly here and always offer to buy in anything that you may be looking for. There’s always something new on offer anytime we stop in. It’s also massively improved over the last couple years after the change in ownership. Before they always seemed to offer the same few things, but now there’s so many new brands coming in all the time you never know what you might find.
Read moreGuest
JessHamer
Points +182
Fantastic - Edit
A great shop stocking a fantastic range of vegan food, clothes, cosmetics etc. The owners and staff are super friendly and go out of their way to help wherever they can.
Read moreGuest
Imixle
Points +137
Nice all vegan shop - Edit
Huge selection of vegan products and one of the first all vegan shops I have been able to find. It's fantastic that it also has a selection of vegan shoes and cleaning products etc... And it's easy because everything is guaranteed to be vegan. The staff are really friendly and chatty. The only down side is that it took us so long to find as the location is a little odd and the sign posting is lacking.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-08-26
Cons: Location , Ships to Europe
Guest
craigmc
Points +42031
great shop - Edit
a really good ship with a huge selection of vegan products.
Read moreshoes, t shirts, dried, tinned, ambient and frozen food.
oddly out on an industrial estate, which is very odd but allows a larger premises than a city centre and more products. has a large online sales business and is really worth looking at.
Pros: vegan, large, online
Cons: location
AlternativeStores
Hi Craig. Thank you for your review and feedback. We are looking to open a premise in Newcastle City Centre in the not so distant future! Keep an eye on our website which we are also currently redesigning and rebranding and please sign up for our newsletter so we can update you on any new developments!
Read moreAs a thank you for your review, discount code 'DSJAN17' will get you 10% discount on any orders placed online by the end of Jan!
Hope to see you again soon.
Thanks,
Zahra - Alt Stores
Guest
wildrose
Points +30
A vegan treasure trove! - Edit
You can find everything vegan in this store from boots to cheese. It's brilliant just being able to walk around picking things up without having to check labels etc. A fantastic store!
Read morePros: Great range of vegan goods., Affordable.
Guest
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