Free Hot drink and cake every month @ John Lewis

mhoc

Ziggy_Stardust wrote: »

I often get a latte and carrot cake to go as its £2.50 an hour parking, so I'll browse/buy for 45 mins and then take my freebies home and have them there, the latte is just the right temp when I get home .

When you have it to go do they put it into a little bag for you?

I know its a funny question but its quite a way to the station from our JL

Ziggy_Stardust

mhoc wrote: »

When you have it to go do they put it into a little bag for you?

I know its a funny question but its quite a way to the station from our JL

They put the drink in a cup, I always ask for a cardboard sleeve for it as its hot to carry, I have had the cake put in a plastic box and also foil before now so I tend to ask for what will carry well and then pop it in a shopping bag I have with me. It's a pity about the parking charge as I'd like to sit down and enjoy it but if I want to shop as well it can get costly.

mimihu

Crabman wrote: »

I don't think this is the purpose of the vouchers. Perhaps for those who work in the catering department it's not easy to see the bigger picture when you're so busy, but these vouchers have resulted in many customers visiting JL who may never otherwise have done.

Retailers want to bring customers through their doors. Marketing campaigns, special offers, etc. are used to try and increase footfall. JL has found a way to bring customers into its stores. So what if they are only after the cake and coffee? In the case of my local JL they have to ascend several floors of products in order to reach the Place To Eat on the top floor.

As a JL customer I received a survey and they had several interesting questions about the cake and coffee, which made me think that this is actually designed to bring customers into JL rather than reward those who already purchase there (think about cost-benefit).

I definitely agree with Crabman. I think that the current JL inititiative has really changed the way my family looks at JL.

My family never shopped at the John Lewis even though we are in the top 0.5% of incomes. In the past, when we were a poor imigrant family, we couldn't afford anything there, and until recently felt the shop was too elitest and didn't feel comfortable going in. Many people pass through the JL to get to other destinations through the shopping center, but we always purposefully circumvented it. I honestly don't remember a single time I had ever even been in a JL. Out of sight and out of mind. We clearly never shopped there, and even if things were the same price (or cheaper) we chose to go to other stores where we felt more welcome.

These tea and cake vouchers have really changed things for us. We're much more comfortable going into the store. We notice that there are really nice facilities and the staff are really kind. The service is excellent. My mom loves the drape patterns, and my dad get excited about the electronics.

My family are still bargain hunters, but now, everytime we want to buy something, JL is the first place we think of to start our price check. Recently, my parents bought a TV from JL. Even though it was just slightly more expensive than the competitor, they felt it was worth it for the extra customer service.

I think the tea and cake progam serves a few purposes. It draws in people who don't feel comfortable shopping there even though they have high incomes.

Most of all, it shows them what superior customer service they have. I think that it's essential that they continue to have excellent service at the cafe, because it reflects on the whole company. That's how it started for us... " Wow, look at how great the free tea and cake is. The rest of the store must be just as great!".

carlislelass

Used my second voucher last week and decided to look at wool...£3.90!!! a ball for nothing fancy

chewynut

Crabman wrote: »

I don't think this is the purpose of the vouchers. Perhaps for those who work in the catering department it's not easy to see the bigger picture when you're so busy, but these vouchers have resulted in many customers visiting JL who may never otherwise have done. ...

As a JL customer I received a survey and they had several interesting questions about the cake and coffee, which made me think that this is actually designed to bring customers into JL rather than reward those who already purchase there (think about cost-benefit).

I'm not saying that the purpose of the vouchers was to boost the profits of the places to eat. I'm just trying to explain that it's increased transactions in the PTE by 25% but catering has had little support in dealing with that. That's why the queues are so long and they're squeezing two extra slices from the carrot cakes. Could your businesses cope with a 25% increase without extra staff or resources to help?

I'm shooting myself in the foot here but the thing that makes the biggest difference is when customers comment on it. We've had issues that have been plaguing us since the vouchers started but only get resolved when a customer complains.

I think I need to back away from this thread now. I only meant to answer some questions and I'm spilling catering's 'secrets'

Ziggy_Stardust

Chewynut your input is appreciated and does help us to see the otherside of this offer.

Mee

Ziggy_Stardust wrote: »

Chewynut your input is appreciated and does help us to see the otherside of this offer.

Ditto.......................

Ziggy_Stardust

Hmmm DD just come back from town and wanted to get her stuff to go but there were no lids for the takeaway cups, might have to take a cup with a lid myself next time I want it .

Crabman

chewynut wrote: »

I think I need to back away from this thread now. I only meant to answer some questions and I'm spilling catering's 'secrets'

I hope you don't back away! I think it was your tip to get the cake and then go to one of the other counters to get the hot drink to avoid queues forming at just one till. It's interesting to hear how things are from the perspective of a staff member in the Place To Eat

Ziggy_Stardust

Just enjoyed my fruit tart and latte today, thanks for the tip about getting your cake and then going to another counter for the drink as this saved a bit of a wait for me . Does anyone know if you can get the scone, cream and little pot of jam on the offer or do you have to pay more for the jam and the cream?