MSE News: Waitrose scraps its free hot drink offer in some stores

roddydogs

Why is Waitrose the dearest SM, but has the longest queues?

Doc_N

roddydogs wrote: »

Why is Waitrose the dearest SM, but has the longest queues?

Because the typical Waitrose customer isn't in a particular hurry most times, loves the store and what it sells, and wouldn't be seen dead in any other supermarket. She (or he) isn't going to worry too much about a short queue if they get most other things right - which they certainly do.

roddydogs

Doc_N wrote: »

Because the typical Waitrose customer isn't in a particular hurry most times, loves the store and what it sells, and wouldn't be seen dead in any other supermarket. She (or he) isn't going to worry too much about a short queue if they get most other things right - which they certainly do.

Whilst their are a few "Waitrose only" items, most of it is sold in other supermarkets at less cost.

Doc_N

roddydogs wrote: »

Whilst their are a few "Waitrose only" items, most of it is sold in other supermarkets at less cost.

Absolutely - Aldi (which is clearly and successfully targeting Waitrose customers in a way which Lidl can only dream of, so far) provides 90% of what we want and need at around 40% less than Waitrose charge.

But the remaining 10% still involves a trip, and a pleasurable trip, to Waitrose. Their Gloucester Old Spot sausages are unbeatable!

Gnocchi

I have a myWaitrose card but I'm not sure why. Haven't sorted out my ten offers, don't want a free Murdoch paper and if the coffee is free it can't be that good.

Any time I'm in Waitrose with my mother she wants my full freebies. I got told off by her at the checkout for not getting her a coffee. I avoid going there with her now.

We buy things we can't get elsewhere like Maille aïoli and Marine Gourmet rouille. Wine offers. Tinned Duchy organic shortbread and posh chocs for presents. But I use Ocado more. Fresh fish which really is, unlike in my local stinky Morrisons.

Waitrose shoppers don't bat an eyelid at Remain t-shirts and the children are well-behaved. In my local ASDA the mothers screech at bawling kids, and the teenagers skateboard.

Twopints

At the Waitrose near where I work, I upgrade to a large coffee in the cafe so pay 30p - and read the paper for free while I drink it. :beer:

[Deleted User]

Gnocchi wrote: »

I have a myWaitrose card but I'm not sure why. Haven't sorted out my ten offers, don't want a free Murdoch paper and if the coffee is free it can't be that good.

Any time I'm in Waitrose with my mother she wants my full freebies. I got told off by her at the checkout for not getting her a coffee. I avoid going there with her now.

We buy things we can't get elsewhere like Maille aïoli and Marine Gourmet rouille. Wine offers. Tinned Duchy organic shortbread and posh chocs for presents. But I use Ocado more. Fresh fish which really is, unlike in my local stinky Morrisons.

Waitrose shoppers don't bat an eyelid at Remain t-shirts and the children are well-behaved. In my local ASDA the mothers screech at bawling kids, and the teenagers skateboard.

I agree completely about Asda, it's a horrible shopping experience and not particularly cheap. Even Tesco is nicer.

Murphybear

MysteryMe wrote: »

Don't have a problem with the changes, I regularly shop at Waitrose so don't feel guilty on the rare occasions when I've obtained a coffee with no spend but the examples of the office workers is just taking things too far.

One of the branches I shop in is easy walking distant from : teaching hospital, University sub branch, court and police station. All their staff went in for free takeaway without buying anything. Genuine customers had to queue up for ages. Having to buy something from the cafe cut down on this a bit. I think you should have to do a shop with a minimum spend then produce your receipt to get a free drink.

tessie_bear

off topic about waitrose but i loathe asda my head is spinning when i am in there dont think it is cheap and the decibels keep me in other shops

Worrierwalker

I admit to loving Waitrose, and while I know some of their stuff is very pricey in comparison to other sms, they also seem to have better offers. Quite a lot of the basics on my list are the same price as Tesco or Sainsburys.

The shop I'm becoming most disappointed with at the moment is M&S Simply Food- the prices have become eye watering.