I don’t understand Waitrose.

[JensonsAcolyte]

I just went to the big Waitrose because they stock gochujang paste. I thought I may as well get a few bits, chicken, cereal, crisps, pasta etc. All the sort of stuff that isn’t dinners but filler food.

£90!

For four bags of shopping.

And it didn’t feel special or posh or magical or anything.

Why do people shop there? Is it actually a snobbery thing? We have a Sainsburys, Tesco and Lidl within a mile or so radius as well.

The only thing it had going for it for me was the aforementioned chilli paste that I couldn’t get in Tesco. But other than the Ingredients range, the other ranges they offer aren’t very wide.

Will anyone admit that they shop there out of snobbery/classism?

We mix Waitrose, M&S and Sainsburys, could say Waitrose is our main shop but it is because of food quality and much wider organic range than anywhere else. We do pay attention to good quality and healthy food. Also, no Tesco's, Lidl's and Aldi's nearby.

I agree with previous poster. I shop there because:
We can't comment because we don't know what you bought. £90 might be reasonable.
I shop there because:

• they treat their staff better
• they treat their suppliers better
• their food is generally much better quality - and I don't want to eat rubbish, cheap food
• they support charities that I support
• their staff are properly trained and pleasant and polite

I have tried elsewhere and will probably use Sainsbury's more in future as we've moved and its my nearest shop but if I had a choice and limitless budget, Waitrose would win every time.

Having worked at Waitrose - they do not treat their staff better. 🤣

@JensonsAcolyte

No, lunches. Sliced chicken. Cost me £7 for two packs! Seven English pounds

I’ve just bought a kg go chicken breast for £4.79, yes I will have to cook it and slice it myself but if you’re paying £7 for two packets, that’s your choice and you’ve only got yourself to blame imo.

If I had a waitrose local I probably would use them but only for specific things that I thought was good value. I don't tend to shop in just one store, I stock up bits from different stores and then an online shop with asda to stock up some the heavier items to last us. Works out alot cheaper shopping around and alot easier too.

I live in Spain and the only thing I miss about UK is Waitrose food, nothing to do with snobbery.

I brought home 4 bags of shopping from Aldi last night and it was £70 odd pounds.

I LOVE Booths, always shopped in their on hols but I live darn sarf and there isn't one anywhere near us.

Are you a Gousto user and were missing gochujang paste from your box? they've just done a few Korean themed weeks and every dish seemed to contain that!

Sainsbury not less expensive. Bought 2 bags of shopping there last week for over £40.
Waitrose can be better for choice of healthier or more ethical options, cleaner ingredients (may be more expensive but also not available or equivalent products elsewhere - for example Duchy milk
non homogenised) & easier layout.
Aldi good for some items eg fresh juices good value.
Don’t have any supermarket loyalty, but some not convenient or don’t stock what I want. Helpful to track what you are buying as you go/budget.
4 bags is not bad for £90.
Cheap chicken unfortunately reflected in cruel conditions & won’t buy it.
Sainsbury’s taste the difference cakes all contain palm oil, totally unnecessary.
Mostly avoiding supermarkets/buying more directly eg bakery.

Ours is local so it’s convenience but it’s also a nicer, calmer experience than most other supermarkets. Saying that the produce is not always amazing at all

Better quality food, ethical practices, long sell by dates, combined with money not being a big concern.

Not snobbery, different perspectives on "value" rather than just cheapness.

@mel71

Having worked at Waitrose - they do not treat their staff better. 🤣

I used to work there too and I was about to write that! Why customers would think the management is any better at Waitrose is beyond me. Where I worked (as in many walks of life) there were too many chiefs (who did bugger all) and who treated their Indians abysmally. I worked in Waitrose for a fair few years and it was awful, the pandemic tipped me over the edge with customers getting even more rude, demanding and downright nasty. Waitrose make such a huge loss every year pandering to these self righteous customers that in the end they will not survive. And don't get me started on the free coffee debacle!!!! Yes their prices are high but the amount that is given away, shoplifted or gifted has to come from somewhere.

@icedgem85

Four bags for 90 isn’t necessarily expensive. The quality is far better and they treat their staff fairly. That’s why I shop there.

Another misguided comment about the staff! Waitrose absolutely do not treat us well.

@longwayoff

One more word of praise for Waitrose, if I have to return something eg out of date same day, dodgy veg or meat, they exchange and refund without making a performance out of it, complete with apology. Unlike many others who seem to take it as a personal affront if I return a damaged item.

And they normally give you a bottle of Prosecco, a box of chocolates, a £20 gift card and carry your shopping out to the car for the inconvenience too.

@JensonsAcolyte

I just went to the big Waitrose because they stock gochujang paste. I thought I may as well get a few bits, chicken, cereal, crisps, pasta etc. All the sort of stuff that isn’t dinners but filler food.

£90!

For four bags of shopping.

And it didn’t feel special or posh or magical or anything.

Why do people shop there? Is it actually a snobbery thing? We have a Sainsburys, Tesco and Lidl within a mile or so radius as well.

The only thing it had going for it for me was the aforementioned chilli paste that I couldn’t get in Tesco. But other than the Ingredients range, the other ranges they offer aren’t very wide.

Will anyone admit that they shop there out of snobbery/classism?

A few bits is max one bag not 4! Lunch and fillers and snacks are always expensive. I shop there because it is local and I know the 'provenance' of the meat

I shop at Waitrose and it is mainly for the great customer service.

@blobblob

We can't comment because we don't know what you bought. £90 might be reasonable. I shop there because:

• they treat their staff better
• they treat their suppliers better
• their food is generally much better quality - and I don't want to eat rubbish, cheap food
• they support charities that I support
• their staff are properly trained and pleasant and polite

I have done cheaper shops before and I feel hard done by because the food's not as nice or I know the supplier's been screwed over or the chickens have lived miserable lives etc etc

You think people shop there for snobbish reasons. Really - why on earth would they?? I'm sick of people moaning and virtue signalling about what they think should happen but supporting businesses that make it less likely.

Exactly why we shop there... No snobbery.

Because it’s a nice place to shop- good ethical ranges, organic etc and recyclable options- out local one grinds fresh coffee and alcohol-free beer from the tap. I don’t mind paying more for the service, range and quality

To compare like for like, your Itsu items 3x £3.75 are the same price at Sainsbury, Nutella is 10p more expensive than you paid for it in Waitrose. I didn’t look up anything else.

Plus side: Waitrose was the only supermarket near me that disinfected their trolleys. Down side: a bloke told me to ‘shut up you bitch’ when I complained about him reaching over me to get something. Never had that in tesco!

I've noticed some people/groups like to mention shopping in waitrose to deride anyone who owns up - an inverse snobbery thing. A bit like trying to get someone to admit to being in mensa or that they got the performance related pay thing you're not allowed to talk about.

Like all the supermarkets Waitrose has some things the others don't. For me that's some free-from stuff. I step right up and admit to shopping at Waitrose and quietly judge those judging me for it.

I also shop at the others. It's interesting to see what they have.

What the heck is gotaching paste anyway ???????

Waitrose own brand quiches are very good btw.

Just the normal brand, not posh ones.

No soggy bottoms and a decent layer of filling so you feel you are getting more egg than pastry. And they do some sour dough pizzas in their No1 range that are delicious, especially the King Prawn, Garlic & Chilli one.

My ex inlaws live in a small town with a waitrose, when another supermarket moved to the town there was a Facebook meltdown and petitions alongside objections to the the local authority about lowering the tone of the town - so yes for some people it’s a snobbery thing!