To think that, considering the quality Waitrose is not an expensive supermarket

[ZednotZee]

We switched to shopping at predominantly Waitrose about six weeks ago. Delivery is free even though our nearest one is twenty miles away, the essentials range is probably better quality than Sainsburys/Asda/Aldi fine ranges l, the nicer products are of a quality not seen elsewhere and customer service is ace.
We aren't spending much more for a family of seven, perhaps fifty quid over a month.

I know Waitrose has a reputation of being expensive but I just haven't found it to be so, all things considered. I'm a total convert and just wondered if anybody else doesn't think it quite deserves its 'prohibitively expensive/pretentious' reputation?

I think it's more a 'list ' of which supermarket is posh or not rather than prices! (I'm not posh at all as I've never bought anything out of Harrods food hall or any other bit of Harrods come to think of it)
I agree that the local corner shops are pricy. They cleaned up round here during lockdowns.

The worst i found was our local tesco metro, asked ds to get me kitchen roll during first lockdown. Twin pack of kitchen rolls £4.35!!!!

The smaller the shop, the higher the prices!

@SpringtimeSummertime

The Waitrose nearest to me is awful. It’s messy and dirty. Fridges/freezers are often broken and empty and the disgusting smell from the meat counter turns my stomach. It’s not a nice shop. I often wonder if they are running it into the ground to close it.

I find this very hard to believe!

Pottedpalm
Why? Do you think I’d actually make that up?
As I said, I often wonder if they are running it down to close it but it’s been like this for years. It’s a mess.

@SpringtimeSummertime

Pottedpalm Why? Do you think I’d actually make that up? As I said, I often wonder if they are running it down to close it but it’s been like this for years. It’s a mess.

I've visited lots of different Waitrose stores and not one has been run down.

Which branch are you referring to @SpringtimeSummertime?

I've visited lots of different Waitrose stores and not one has been run down

Which branch are you referring to

I’m not going to say the actual branch as I don’t broadcast where I live on MN.
I doubt you have been in every Waitrose the length and breadth of the country (unless you work for them?) but I can assure you my local branch is as I have described.
I’m not sure why you are doubting me! I have no reason to make it up. Other branches I have visited have been nice, especially those with cafes.

They are closing branches in less affluent areas. Perhaps it will be due the chop soon?

It is good quality but it is about 20% more expensive at least. I shop in person so delivery and distance is irrelevant - it's 5 mins from my house but it is definitely overpriced and not always better. Lidl has very good bakery products etc and is a stones throw from Waitrose do it's a case of buying the majority in lidl and only using Waitrose for fresh fish and things Lidl doesn't sell/prefer Waitrose

The main advantage of Waitrose though is the fresh sushi counter

@moochingtothepub

The main advantage of Waitrose though is the fresh sushi counter

Nah it's the hot chicken tikka masala ready meal 😋

@SausageDogSandwich

They are closing branches in less affluent areas. Perhaps it will be due the chop soon?

I think they are definitely running it into the ground but it’s definitely not a ‘less affluent area’ - an inconvenient area for their network maybe! Or, maybe they have a sloppy store manager? It’s always very busy so it’s strange. I think it’s more likely they aren’t investing in the store for whatever reason.

...and, as you say, it’s for the chop!

I totally agree OP. I've regularly shopped in pretty much all of the 'popular' chain of shops and there's not that much difference between them.

I have different items I prefer from different shops so whenever I can, I buy the items from those places - doesn't matter to me if they're seen as "pretentious" or "humble".