First time going to Waitrose. Things I should buy.

[readingisallowed]

I am going to Waitrose tomorrow. Is there anything you recommend that's different from other supermarkets.
I believe it's quite a large store so hopefully it is well stocked.

I've just been and there's lots of offers. Also make sure you do your My Waitrose vouchers. I got £1.50 of a massive block of Cheddar that was only £5 to start with - mentioned upthread as being excellent for 'cheap' cheese. I also got 50 p off a couple of other things.

I spent £37 and now need to see what the deal is with this £50 treat business as in if I spend another £13 soon do I get something worthwhile?

With Waitrose I find that some things are decent value or at least the same price as other supermarkets. The danger is that there are so many 'that looks nice' that you can spend a fortune if you're not careful.

That's why I wear jumper dresses @Gatekeeper 😉

Yes, my ‘treat’ box of them went on the xmas shelf of ‘bits’ but I looked today and it’s down to 2 mince pies - clearly my H has been snaffling them whilst I’m out . They are rather delicious and I’m not really a mince pie fan

It was a sad day when DD left her part time Waitrose job! The card gave us John Lewis discount alongside the 20% off in Waitrose.

I agree. I shop in both too and what pp said is fundamentally not true.

There are some things like coffee walnut cake and marmalade that are better in Sainsbury’s but generally Waitrose food is better quality. Particularly own brand stuff and ready meals. I’m don’t eat lot of ready meals but enough to know all Sainsbury’s ones are cheap and vile - some of Waitrose are really good; it also more variety, more French foods, more niche foods. There’s a lot of things you can’t get in Sainsbury’s as their range is more limited and more downmarket. It’s cheaper though, I’ll give it that.

I’m making a list, I’m checking it twice… thank you so much to everyone who has posted on this thread!
My Christmas treat to myself is a trip to Waitrose, can’t wait

I go to Waitrose regularly and have never tried any of these!

MN is a wicked place.

I dont really like cinnamon so these have passed me by, but I saw them instore today so thought fuck it and grabbed a pack. I don't think the pack will last the day!!!

Ah mine are still on the ‘Xmas bits’ shelf

Which is where mine should be. I'll get a replacement pack tomorrow 😂

(I am on MJ so despite wanting to eat the whole pack I won't but we'll definitely need more for Christmas!)

Morrisons online delivery has them, don't know about in store

I mainly shop in Sainsburys, we have a good one nearby, one of the larger ones with clothes, housewares etc. I shop in Waitrose once a month or so, it is WAY better than Sainsburys. Sainsburys does have bigger ranges of most things, there is very little you can't get there, but own brand stuff is nothing special and there is very little that is special at all, all fairly bog standard. It is crowded and badly laid out and they are always re-organising it so you can't find anything.

Waitrose has a lovely welcoming entrance area, wide aisles, they virtually never re-organise the sections (I went in yesterday and they had swapped a couple of aisles which was the first time I'd noticed that in years). Sainsburys seem to delight in re-organising the entire store periodically and as a particular bonus do it in the run-up to Christmas so you can't find anything. The regular staff in Sainsburys are helpful but they are few and far between now, mainly around the tills, if you can find anyone in the main part of the shop to ask where they've moved something to you are lucky, even more lucky if they actually work there and know as opposed to being an agency shelf stacker who has no idea. Whereas in Waitrose, there are shop staff in the aisles who know where everything is, will take you there and if they don't know will find someone that does. It might cost a bit more but you get what you pay for.

20% off you say... I'll be having a quiet word with my teenaged grandchildren.

There is definitely a supermarket hierarchy and I think you get what you pay for. We mostly shop at sainsbos but go to Lidl if we’re feeling poor and Waitrose or booths if we’re feeling flush. We get our fresh produce delivered so the supermarket is just for sundries and snacks. We can resist most snacks in Lidl but end up with half a trolley full if we go to Waitrose/booths. Also the condiments are way better in Waitrose. Tahini is a good benchmark. They don’t even sell it in my local Tesco. The Waitrose tahini is good stuff.

Im also a big fan of the rosemary and pecorino nuts. They don’t even make it through the car journey home.

I love Waitrose. Posting here to check back and see recommendations for when I get paid

My friend has said she gets lots of freebies at Waitrose. How? I’ve never had any!

i like to buy their essential extra mature cheddar,
it is very good value as well as tasting delicious

They are lovely! I got them as a treat for my hospital bag, but by not sharing with my husband they have lasted over 2 months! I will definitely buy again.

I found them when I went in yesterday but I think I might need to wait for them to be on offer! Or at least ban the kids from using them

The Waitrose Little Treats for December are:

• 1st treat (£50): Bonne Maman conserve or selected spread
• 2nd treat (£100): £3 off a shop
• 3rd treat (£250): Waitrose No 1 truffles worth £7.50

My first reward (Bonne Maman) has just popped up, I have got the BM Advent Calendar this year and have tried all sorts of lovely things so off for a browse in store later.

Thanks both. That's disappointing. I've already got the Bonne Maman advent calendar including the free chocolate spread and a couple of other jars of jam so we're set for a while as we try not to have it too often.

Their coronation chicken sandwiches are the best

I have one teaspoonful a day in my overnight oats (or at the moment one tiny jar full) so it will last me ages but it's nice to have something different as I usually only have homemade strawberry from my allotment.

No1 Colombian Coffee ice cream. 😋