Waitrose : Never knowingly underpriced ! (Waitrose)

Member Name: englishrose

Product:	Waitrose
Date:	15/03/09 (184 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Choice. Quality. Atmosphere.

Disadvantages: Too expensive for the average purse

Waitrose, Newark-on-Trent : I visited this East Midlands branch of Waitrose last night, during a visit to some friends in that area- I had been despatched to fetch some nibbles for everyone during telly time.

I decided to make the car journey to Waitrose, rather than just walk round to the local shops, because on a previous visit I had noticed the unusual range of chocolate bars, and we wanted to try the one that was milk chocolate with lavender in it, as this is just the sort of 'different' product that Waitrose are so good at providing.

However, I was to be disappointed - there was no sign of this product this time, and similarly, the Pringles I had wanted had run out of stock too. (Well, it was Saturday night!) I asked one of the staff about this and they were very helpful, and offered to find out for me when the stock would be replenished.

No matter though, as Waitrose always have something else to tempt you with - I ended up buying a multipack of 6 packs of Walkers crisps and some Cadbury Dairy Milk with Cranberry and Granola, along with their own brand French bread and a small 1-pint carton of organic own-brand milk - the non-organic milk was not available in the small size that I wanted.

This small basket of goods came to around £8.00, pretty steep I think. I certainly would not be able to do my full regular shop here, nor would I want to, as I do not think it is worth the difference in prices.

I really like their own-brand ranges, and they have some great vegetarian foods, also they have plenty of specialist ranges such as gluten-free, and their famous baby toiletries range which is totally free of any preservatives and chemicals - genius! Apparently they are introducing some basic lines to compete against Tesco Value and others, but I didn't see any of those on my visit.

The fresh food looks beautiful too - wide range of meats, deli, fruit and vegetables, much of it organic - but just way , way beyond my pocket unfortunately.

The plus-points of Waitrose are that the store is always spotlessly clean and the staff seem professional and smart. The green uniforms remind me slightly of Marks and Spencer, and Waitrose does have that same atmosphere about it - and the same sort of customer!

This branch has a cafe and adjacent customer toilets, both of which are always very clean and tidy, and regularly inspected. The Newark store isn't the largest , but has everything a shopper could need, with all departments catered for: This store does not sell clothing or any other goods, it's food, drinks and household only, so there is no need for it to be bigger.

Situated slightly out of the town centre, with it's own free car park, this store would be handy for commuters because it's right next to the train station. Trolleys or baskets are available for shoppers, using a pound coin, and there is also the option to scan your own shopping with the handheld scanners (I avoided this completely, the technophobe that I am, so I cannot comment on it).

The opening hours are not brilliant though, only open until 8.00 pm on the Saturday I went in, surely this is not enough in this day and age?

At the checkout, all the usual payment methods are accepted, and although carrier bags are still given out free, this is discouraged - I was asked if I had my own bag before I was routinely offered one. Also, there are donation boxes by the checkouts to collect change for local charities, a useful idea: Although Waitrose is owned by John Lewis, a national chain, they do seem to champion local causes and local products.


Overall Verdict: Good quality, Nice atmosphere and Great for a small basketfull of 'something different' ... lavender chocolate, beetroot crisps, local honey etc. But if I had to spend all my food shopping budget here I would surely starve! If this review was for quality and atmosphere it would be 5 stars, but I have had to take one star off because of the cost, sorry Waitrose!


http://www.waitrose.com/branches/branchdetails.as px?uid=227

Summary: Great for a SMALL basket full of unusual treats