To ask people that do their normal shop at waitrose how they afford it?

[jdoe8]

After spending a few days with a family member that does and doing an aldi shop, the quality is very stark. As much as the super 6 look good, the apples are very powdery and the oranges pithy and not that sweet. It makes me feel a bit poor. In other countries you would have market stuff that is good, but obviously not in the UK.

I feel like I would have to earn 150k to afford it. I like it for the rare treat, but unless you live on cheap stodge im not sure how so many people afford it.

If the said status is their renowned reputation for their lemon drizzle cakes, then yup! Guilty as charged here

It's because Waitrose is prohibitally expensive that I shop there. I spend about £60 on meat, veg and fruit there. Their toiletries, crisps, sweets and bakery are so expensive that I don't buy them.

When I shop in Sainsburys I spend in excess of £100 and come home with bags of unhealthy BOGOF shite that I don't need.

If I need toiletries (and sweets) I go to Poundland. Aldi does a free range chicken for roughly a fiver and a leg of lamb for £6 or £7 if I fancy cooking a roast.

Completely agree that it's very expensive. I do all of my shopping there because it's close and we can afford it, but feel it is very luxurious to do this!

Three years ago when our income was lower (over 100k but under 150 -- so your number seems right!), I used to buy odd bits of fruit / salad / cheese, and the rest at markets or Tesco. Even now I get a "cheap" shop of basics once a month from Tesco or Morrisons online.

In other countries you would have market stuff that is good, but obviously not in the UK.

Err we DO have markets in this country you know! There is a very good one near me in West London. I just keep forgetting to go there!

I've shopped in Waitrose for years. I like the quality of their fresh produce, although the meat is not what it was a few years back. It's also convenient. I live between a Sainsbury's and a Waitrose. I prefer the latter. We spend a lot of money on food and wine, but rarely have takeaways or eat out. We are also both higher earners without extravagant tastes for brand new cars or designer clothes. We care about food so we spend a fair amount on it. If I was feeling the pinch financially, I would meal plan and probably shop somewhere cheaper (as I did when I was on a very low disposable income).

I guess if you buy everything value, its not that much more expensive than other shops. But they have a huge range of foods that you just don't get in other places. They have raw vegan crackers for 4.99 for a tiny packet and its full of foods like that, some NZ honey for 29.99 a tiny jar.

I go there sometimes more to browse, but I have never seen anyone with mostly essential stuff in there like most people here say they shop. I guess I could just do a value shop there, but it is a bit painful walking around seeing all these products I want to try, but I just cant justify. If I just did a shop not thinking about money I could spend hundreds a week. Being a low carber does make things very expensive too as no cheap stodge.

annielouise Sat 25-Mar-17 12:50:38

I've read a report, although it was a few years ago, that said M&S fruit had the highest levels of pesticide which was why their fruit looked the most perfect. Sometimes better to go for the ugly stuff as less pesticides I'm guessing - there was a big move for supermarkets not to get rid of the less perfect looking fruit and veg as there was nothing wrong with it. M&S therefore wouldn't be my first choice for fruit.

That is hugely interesting, I've often thought m s fruit looks too good. Do you have a link? I can't find anything online

I buy our food in Whole Foods, which makes Waitrose look cheap. I meal plan, don't buy crap (because I'd eat it) and buy all my toiletries, kitchen roll, cereal, laundry detergent, etc at Costco. It works out cheaper than if I do the whole shop in a standard supermarket.

I shop entirely at either Waitrose or Ocado.
We have a household income of £55k.
no dc though

I've not done a full week's shop at my local Waitrose despite it being our nearest supermarket. It's a bit like a supermarket in a seaside town, it hasn't quite got everything. We pop in midweek for bits and pieces and it doesnt seem vastly different to Sainsbury's on price. I don't particularly like it as a shop, not entirely useful and full of a certain sort of person.

I spend more when I go to Waitrose because, as you say, they have a really good range. So I go a bit mad and buy more naice things and ready-meal type foods. And posh booze.

I do the Waitrose delivery. I buy their essentials range mostly, and I don't think it's expensive for the quality. As I do it on line I don't get tempted by all the delights, which I would do if I went in the shop!

I use Ocado because I don't want to go into a grocery store. I hate them. I don't think Ocado is that much more expensive than other places and I've been to an Aldi once and thought it was dire but aren't most grocery stores dire places anyway?

I buy all organic and that definitely increases the cost but when I looked to decrease the cost elsewhere the difference was negligible given the time I would have to waste going from shop to shop.

We probably spend a lot but the convenience and quality make up for it in spades.

I do all my shopping in waitrose, with one eye on mysupermarket.com every week for best offers on toiletries, laundry stuff etc - those I buy in bulk whenever an offer comes up. Their meat is of far better quality than sainsburys/tesco/asda and their treatment of theirs suppliers likewise. My husband's cousin is a farmer supplying some of waitrose's West Country lamb joints, and they pay fairly and promptly, and provide ongoing development support for all their contracts. I buy mainly the essentials range on everything apart from meat. Also as someone else said, it's a much nicer environment to shop in, the staff are pleasant and knowledgeable, and the customers calmer and quieter than our local Asda which I actively avoid frankly.

Only shop at Waitrose if I'm passing and can't be bothered to go anywhere else.

I wouldn't buy my basics there as I assume they're more expensive than somewhere like Tesco, and I find my local Waitrose fruit and vegetables pretty poor quality tbh.

I was in their Brent Cross branch years ago, when they were considered very superior and walked out empty handed because everything in their green grocery section seemed to be half rotten.

Love Co op though, really good quality stuff.

We have a large Waitrose right near my work so it is very convenient and a good shopping experience, something I don't get at the local Asda. I buy most of my shopping at Waitrose and also use Iceland which I like. I occasionally use Asda but usually only if I want to buy something from George and then I get some groceries also.

I don't find it that expensive as I buy a lot of the Essential Waitrose things. I also get my free coffee and also a newspaper if I spend over £10.

I use Wilkinsons a lot for household and garden stuff

I think that M & S has the best fruit, it's almost like it grows on different trees and bushes to everywhere else.

I shop at Lidl, Waitrose, M & S and Amazon Pantry. I find less waste with the fresh fruit and veg in Waitrose and M & S, it lasts longer and tastes better. Amazon Pantry good for the boring stuff like cans and bottles of water. Lidl good for "continental" meat, cheeses - not good for fruit and veg (better than Morrisons though whose produces appears to go off the moment it leaves the shop).
Spend about £200 per week on food and drink for 3 adults and 3 cats.

I only occasionally shop at Waitrose, do a weekly Tesco delivery and buy a few food items in M&S each week. I've been in Lidl and Aldi but can't bring myself to shop in what effectively looks like a jumble sale. It's really off putting.

There are a few things we get at Waitrose which are not available in the next closest which is Morrisons. I am not a fan of Waitrose, it is more expensive for no apparent reason and their own brand stuff is a bit to 'messed about with' weird things added to what should be normal food. Their fruit & veg is OK and they have a good range of Cauldron and other veggie things but the other stuff is no better than Sainsburys. Our Waitrose is crappy anyway, small, and badly managed.

I would go there for fruit & veg as Lidl is not that great and Morrisons is about the same, stuff doesn't keep, whereas Waitrose does. Shop around as we have several choices but currently Sainsbury has almost everything I need, quality is good and prices are slightly less than Waitrose, but only just.

We don't drink which saves us a fortune which means we can enjoy shopping at Waitrose.

I saw this yoghurt in Waitrose the other day. I tutted.

People go to Waitrose because of the status associated with it.

And how is this meant to work exactly? Should I try and be seen while in Waitrose or post my location to FB? What a ridiculous comment.

Waitrose is my nearest supermarket.

I use the 'my favourites' discount
3 for £10.00 meat and fish and other offers
Buy Waitrose own products
Pay with a JL credit card so get 1% cash back
and check bargain bins.....

I spend less in WR than in my local Tesco which is huge and there are just too many lines to choose from.

p.s. I like WR's ethical approach too.

We spend about £180pw in Waitrose. I think the quality of meat and fish is better but I agree that fruit and veg from M&S tastes nicer.

I use my John Lewis credit card to pay for my weekly Waitrose shop then pay it off each month thus avoiding interest. This means I receive a significant amount of JL vouchers every quarter. I put them away and normally have around £500 worth each Christmas.