going to waitrose

martinthebandit

Cumberland sausage or the bacon baps in the cafe are well worth getting there before 11, very reasonably priced too.

usernameisvalid

Just don't get so excited is all I can say

No harm, I got my wedding catered by waitrose many moons back and no complaints, but seriously, unless you are getting reduced items, it's the same as most supermarkets

We don't have waitrose in this country, yet I can buy waitrose products for pennies at the chicken processing factory shop and the meat processing shop

It's the same meat and chickens that are supplied to sainsburys, tesco, morrisons and all the rest of the supermarkets. Just different labels


Waitrose is a lovely shopping experience but seriously, they get the same meat and veg from the same places as the rest of the supermarkets

Way back in the 70's I was receiving produce which was labelled waitrose and marks, I worked for sainsburys. Nothing has changed

Kim_kim

The essentials strawberry jam.

The rashers from the meat counter.

The extra lean mince lamb (the only low fat one I've found).

Pancakes for Peking duck - only place I can find them.


Sauces, chutneys & condiments, they have the best selection.

Tiddlywinks

I buy the essentials bread flours - wholemeal and brown ones - they are great.

I second the vote for Strawberry jam and their pasta is good too as it cooks well without falling apart.

Waitrose lookie likey Weetabix is a great malty flavour and better than the branded.

If I've got meat eaters visiting then I always buy Waitrose own or Duchy organic meat too - they seem to have a more ethical approach towards their suppliers and stiffer welfare standards too.

Have you checked to see if Waitrose delivers to your postcode? If not, does Ocado (they carry Waitrose food)?

Tiddlywinks

usernameisvalid wrote: »

It's the same meat and chickens that are supplied to sainsburys, tesco, morrisons and all the rest of the supermarkets. Just different labels

Waitrose is a lovely shopping experience but seriously, they get the same meat and veg from the same places as the rest of the supermarkets

Way back in the 70's I was receiving produce which was labelled waitrose and marks, I worked for sainsburys. Nothing has changed

There are differences in the products supplied to the varying supermarkets even when the supplier is the same. If items are overproduced or there are breaks in the supply chain then goods destined for Waitrose may occasionally be diverted elsewhere to fill a gap.

For instance, baked beans may be made in the same factory for several supermarkets but the recipes will vary. Some will use whole toms whilst others will use only puree etc.

Orange juice may be made with more water, sugar or a mix of concentrates.

Also, there are various picks from the crop for fresh produce etc with certain buyers getting first choice.

Finally, welfare standards and the choice of suppliers are approached in different ways - Waitrose works closely with suppliers to raise welfare standards for workers and animals.

http://www.waitrose.com/home/about_waitrose/our_company/leckford_estate.html

http://www.waitrose.com/home/inspiration/about_waitrose/the_waitrose_way/foundation.html#.Uz651fldXGE

I don't think Waitrose is markedly more expensive for its own branded goods than, say, Sainsburys but I do think the quality of the fresh produce is better and I have more trust in their ethical standards that some of the other giants.

MandM90

Their yellow stickers are soooo much better than anywhere else here. I go YS shopping in Marks and Waitrose, and do the rest of my shop in Lidl!

Used to do my whole shop in Waitrose and liked their frozen things (sweet potato chips, mixed exotic mushrooms). They were quite good value IIRC.

LaineyT

Another one here who likes shopping in Waitrose due to their stricter standards regarding animal welfare and fairer approach to their suppliers.

Their essential range is excellent and very competively priced, we especially like their fresh southern fridge chicken pieces, the crispy coating is delicious.
As with everything if you are canny you can find some real bargains. I have signed up for the 10pyo offers, they include basic things like toilet roll and you get 10% off everytime you buy. Every Friday there is 20% off fresh fish off the counter, the salmon en croute is very tasty, 2 for £5 and then you also get the money off.
They YS bargains are very good and unlike other supermarkets the scrum is far more dignified :rotfl:
Personally, we eat meat less often but always go for high quality, the Duchy range is very good and you can tell the difference.
That said, their vegetarian frozen range is excellent and we have several favourites.
HTH

grunnie

Their own brand washing up liquid and laundry liquid is great. They also have a laundry liquid for dark clothes eg black jeans and also one for sensitive skin. I love their shower gels especially the clear one.
Definitely get their loyalty card it gives you a free coffee if you buy something from their caf! eg a banana was 50p when I was there last or a free takeaway coffee from a machine in their shop at customer services. If you spend £5 during the week and £10 at the weekend you can get a free newspaper eg The Times which is £1.50 or £2.50 at weekends.
The end of the isles also has loads of offers and sometimes they have a few non food items ( JL) on offer. I got fitted cotton sheets for £5 the last time I was there.
My nearest is Stirling and I am 240 miles from there so I put in an order and get it delivered to Aberdeen John Lewis and go there and collect it.

jackyann

I think it depends on where you usually shop. I wouldn't on the whole, buy meat, poultry, fruit or veg at WR as I get much better & cheaper at independent shops; but I don't have a good fishmonger, so I will use their very good fish counter (I too, don't go often).
From my point of view, they stock "exotic" items - difficult to find things like the barberries I like to put in my tabouleh, dried raspberries (such an intense flavour) to use in ice creams and chocolate mousses; they always have Marogold (the best vege stock powder). So definitely look in the baking and world ingredients aisle.
They do make me laugh though - they have quinoah and puy lentils, but not old-fashioned dried peas (fortunately my nearby Co-op stocks those!)

The nearest WR to me is next door to a Lidl, so whenever I am over that way, I stock up in both!

BrassicWoman

Have a look at their dine in deals if they have them on. I don't drink much so love that I can swap the wine for chocs

Also if you have the loyalty card and spend over £5 (£10 on a sunday) you get a free newspaper.