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?

My local Tesco Express has a ghetto blaster in the fruit and veg section and it can blast out (with a lot of tinny reverberation) hardcore techno, or 80s metal. Depending whose shift it is I presume

@LovelyIssues

It is a snobbery thing I don't care what anyone says. I shopped their once and the quality was no better than Aldi

I’m not a snob, pre Covid I shopped at Aldi (cause they don’t have everything) as well as Sainsbury’s and/or Tesco with top up at Waitrose as they’re the only ones that sell soya flour free farmhouse bread “Jacksons”. Our Waitrose doesn’t have everything but I shop online since Covid.

I swap between Sainsbury’s and Waitrose but mainly shop at Waitrose as they’ve catered more for what my family eats. I don’t buy meat or fish from supermarkets, but if I did I’d never buy from Aldi or Tesco.

Additionally I get cash back from my life insurance for shopping at waitrose

I shop there because:

• I can get a park
• I don't have to put a fucking pound coin in the thingy to get a trolly
• the security lady actually polices people wearing masks and challenges people wandering in without cleaning hands or wearing masks
• the shelves are stocked
• the staff are really helpful
• the checkout staff don't throw my stuff at me.

And they sell mini bottles of Moet, often on sale.

shop there because:
- they treat their staff better
I used to work in the one in York. The manager there would regularly push cages of products at his speed at staff and throw heavy boxes at us if we weren't doing something the way he did it.

I don't know if it's still the same but back then they had the same supplier for Tesco for many products in their own range.

I used to go to Waitrose ( pre- Covid) occasionally even though I have a Sainsburys and small Tesco and Coop nearer.
There are several reasons- mainly because Waitrose stock certain products I prefer that are not stocked in nearer stores. For instance ecological cleaning products that are septic tank safe and some specialist cooking ingredients. I agree their suppliers - and staff are valued by the company, and are always helpful. My local one (as do many) has electric car charging and a small cafe- so it can be a good stopping point ( our nearest Waitrose is on my route home from one of my work places) if my cars charge is running low. I could ( pre Covid) kill 3 birds with one stone so to speak -shop/ rest/ charge car- nicer than a motorway service station!

4 bags of shopping isn't a little bit... That's a full-on weekly shop!

That's why it cost you £90!

I started shopping in Waitrose as they had better social distancing in place and Tesco’s was just a free for all. The food is nicer but it is expensive.

The big sainsburys near me (not little ones) sells gojuchang paste for a reasonable price...no need for waitrose 😊

My nearest Waitrose is not a particularly friendly place: neither staff nor customers, most people in there look as if they have just received bad news.
On the other hand the staff at my local Lidl and Aldi are mostly helpful and friendly.
The nearest Tesco to me had ridiculously stringent social distancing and one way systems at the height of lockdown.
I only mention this as it appears to contradict the experience of others. My take is that most supermarkets can be run poorly or well, there isn't a monopoly by any brand.
So anyone shopping at my local Waitrose is probably not doing it for the ambience and friendly staff.

Our Waitrose has electric car charging too (although I don't need that).
I agree you cannot generalise too much over some issues. Our Waitrose staff are usually happy looking. I think the Tesco ones are too but that's a bigger store so I see fewer staff in Tesco. Waitrose is I think owned by the staff (part of John Lewis) - I think - so may be that has an impact?

I only ever started going to Waitrose as some of the teenagers preferred it but now I do use it as first choice.

the £1 thing in Tesco is v irritating. Who even carries cash atm esp in a pandemic. I went there recently for first time in ages and had to lug a basket around as I had no £. This alone is enough of a reason to stick to Waitrose for me.

@Figmentofmyimagination

the £1 thing in Tesco is v irritating. Who even carries cash atm esp in a pandemic. I went there recently for first time in ages and had to lug a basket around as I had no £. This alone is enough of a reason to stick to Waitrose for me.

All tescos here have free trollies I thought it's everywhere. Unlike ASDA who obviously (rightfully tho going by the number of trollies in streets) doesn't trust people😂

You can get a little keyring with a fake pound. Very practical

Cos it's over the road and its the only supermarket I can walk to.

If I am more organised and CBA and for a 'big shop' I'll go somewhere cheaper but as it's my local shop I do pop in there quite often just for that reason.

I did used to like it when they had the free coffees. That brightened up my shopping day but I don't particularly go for food quality or any snobby reason. I don't actively enjoy food shopping whatever shop it's in.

schrodinger I expect Tesco have profiled us here as more likely to send their trolleys to the bottom of the river.

Personally I prefer a supermarket that trusts its customers to put them back in the right place.

Key ring sounds a good idea though!

Why does anyone here think the waitrose staff are paid properly and other staff aren't? Do you know what other supermarkets pay in relation to waitrose? I do, and its often more. Also, waitrose staff aren't treated any better. I know people currently working in waitrose, tesco, aldi and morrisons. And waitrose dont come first for pay or conditions. Dont believe the hype.

As for the staff ownership thing, that might have been relevant years ago when decent bonuses was normal, that doesn't happen now. The staff have as much say in the day to day running of the place as staff elsewhere eg. Absolutely nothing

Because waitrose has higher animal welfare policies than other supermarkets. And a lot of their own brand, essentials range is made with fewer weird ingredients and additives than other supermarkets versions.

@halfathreepence

Because waitrose has higher animal welfare policies than other supermarkets. And a lot of their own brand, essentials range is made with fewer weird ingredients and additives than other supermarkets versions.

This is interesting and would be a reason for me to shop there more- is there an independent source that confirms this? (As opposed to just Waitrose marketing).

Don't know about an independent source but the packs of meat tend to have positive information regarding free range/grass fed etc which I don't always see on meat from other shops. Free range eggs are of course available pretty much everywhere.

I think the thing about Waitrose being paid better came about because of the bonuses, DS worked there about 10 years ago when the bonus was 15-20%, those days have gone now though

@HaveringWavering Ethical Consumer (an independent source) have evaluated the major supermarkets across a number of ethical criteria including workers rights, environment, supply change management and animal rights. You need to be a subscriber to see their full analysis but the headlines are here -scroll down to about halfway down for the section on animal rights. None of the major supermarkets are perfect or even very good TBH (if you are a meat/dairy eater you are better off buying direct from independent farms/producers that are organic certified - I'm veggie myself but buy meat for the family from Coombe Farm or Riverford) but on animal rights (and many other factors) Waitrose and M&S are the best of the pack...

Thanks @maxelly and @RedactedTaeFeck. (RtF as a Scot and a lawyer I like your username )

Thanks, it was inspired by recent events (also a Scot but not a lawyer, just a frustrated citizen)

I juggle Waitrose and Tesco's. It is way more expensive in Waitrose but there are a certain few things that are just way better quality, namely:
Kiwis
Salmon
Beef (we try not to eat much but when we do it's Duchy organic).

It normally works out at about a quarter in Waitrose and three quarters in Tesco's.

Waitrose food is lovely and the choice is amazing, throughout the store.