Forum Topic

Waitrose in West Ealing; going downhill?

They rearranged everything a couple of months ago and, since then, I find myself leaving with only about 2/3rds of the items on my list, and not just because I can't find them. Stock control seems to have gone to hell. If I have to go to another supermarket to complete my shopping, then I might as well just go there in the first place!Or is it just me?

Susan Kelly ● 5786d30 Comments

they've now got suitcases and AV equipment. That space used to be taken up by food. I've noticed the same myself, it's very annoying. Like you, I leave the shop not having passed my regular items and so didn't pick them up.

Barbara Karayi ● 5786d

There are other shops in West Ealing, so I heard.If this store doesn't have what you want, just go somewhere else?

G Lord ● 5786d

The question I have to ask is - why go to Waitrose when you can buy exactly the same goods (same brand) somewhere cheaper? Waitrose is highly expensive when compared to the other supermarkets and in the current financial climate surely it is better to save money rather than squander it.

J Smith ● 5785d

I don't buy branded goods, apart from Heinz baked beans and Branston pickle. Waitrose Essential range is pretty cheap and they have survived the last two years very nicely.Moreover, the 'current financial climate' does not necessarily apply to individuals.

Susan Kelly ● 5785d

I agree about all the other stuff creeping into Waitrose, it's not big enough to see that sort of thing. I hate all the other supermarkets so I will stick with Waitrose but it is annoying. Hopefully, it's just a Christmas thing. The quality of their own brand far exceeds any of the others.

Penny Crocker ● 5785d

I think Waitrose have moved with these more austere times by introducing their essentials range and the prices are the same as other supermarket own branded goods. Where they differ is that the larger supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's have brought in other cheaper branded goods that were traditionally only ever seen in places like Lidl/Aldi.

Diane Gill ● 5785d

Tescos will always have well stocked shelves as their IT and distribution set up has always been smart. when i worked for a supplier over 25 years ago the systems ensured that the stock position at 5 in an afternoon was always replenished by the next morning. no doubt now they are even smarter. This has annoyed me when i opt for my preference not to shop at tesco and find shelves that are empty.

Peter Chadburn ● 5785d

If you are coming to West Ealing - the CUDI food store is amazing!  The right hand side is 'Polski slep' the left is Middle Eastern and brilliant for pulses, general goods and delicious Barbari (and other) flat breads - the fruit and veg at the front pretty darn good too, Late night offy as well!

Viv Ellis ● 5785d

Yes, Cudi's is amazing.The parking in order to patronise the Cudi store for anything more than one small bag's worth of produce is however distinctly lacking...(Not the store's fault, just a fact of life unfortunately.)

Tony Colliver ● 5785d

Waitrose's having its own free car park is also a draw.

Susan Kelly ● 5785d

You need a car to do your shopping?  West Ealing also has two Fismongers, the Farmers market and a (local) Butcher.My problem with Waitrose is generally the customers, they think they are a cut above everyone else and sod everyone else.

G Lord ● 5785d

I infer that you are a man, G Lord, and do not do a full week's shop for a family: half a dozen bags of heavy shopping. I also infer that you do not live more than a mile from any local supermarket, as I do.I envisage you toddling to the shop for a bottle of wine and some cheese, before patting yourself on the back and wondering why women make such a big fuss about having to do the shopping. I see you holding up the queue at checkout as you laboriously count out the small change from your pocket while trying to tell the uninterested assistant about your arthritis, since you have no friends.

Susan Kelly ● 5784d

What a funny reply!  Have done the 6 bags of shopping for well over a mile many times.  Perhaps if you did it, you'd lose a bit of weight, maybe you could make it a family event and get the kids to help out, we're always reading how kids need more exercise these days.When I moved here, the proximity of my property to shops was a consideration.  Its known in the trade as Location, location, location.I never buy just one bottle of wine and always pay with cash, usually notes, my credit card company or bank do not need to know where I shop and what I buy, nor do the shop need to know my name.  Waitrose customers seem to love putting everything on the old plastic, holding up the queue whilst they enter the PIN for the couple of organic/fair trade items they've purchased.

G Lord ● 5784d

Odd.......most people work fulltime and commute so a supermarket after normal shop hours is the only feasible option. We don't have time to shop every couple of days which is what we would need to do if we were to walk. I think G Lord has the luxury of time on his hands. Great for him but he shouldn't judge others. Susan's views are the norm and she is spot on. G Lord's view of Waitrose customers smacks of bigotry. He couldn't be further from the truth in my case.

Penny Crocker ● 5784d

This is a funny thread, I laughed out loud at Susan's and Gee's postings! Waitrose have been brilliant at supporting West Ealing Neighbours and the abundance project this year, lending us loads of veg crates to sotre our apples/pears and supplying us with meeting room space when we need it. I love Waitrose, but do tend to shop elsewhere most of the time now I have a toddler as the cost of your shopping is more expensive overall.  I'm certianly not posh, but do confess to paying with plastic!

Diane Gill ● 5784d

ROFL!

Tony Colliver ● 5784d

It takes me less time to bang in my PIN than it does to count out real cash.(And I don't give a hoot whether the credit card company knows what I buy or not!)

Tony Colliver ● 5784d

Judging from some of the posts on this blog - it can't be too difficult for Waitrose customers or for that matter any supermarket above Poundland level to "think they are a cut above everyone else and sod everyone else."

Charles Campbell ● 5784d

I have to commute to work, leving early in the morning and arriving home late in the evenings. I still manage to find time to buy the things I need on nearly a day to day basis as prefer to have the weekend to myself and not spent waiting in a queue at a supermarket whilst someone tries to remember their pin number.Since moving here my shopping habits have changed and from generally making a weekly trip to a supermarket early in the morning to avoid the crowds, I now use the local shops (such as butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers) for all my shopping needs and only occasionally venture into a supermarket.I have to say there are other supermarkets within a mile radius of Waitrose that do have free parking if you need to take a car.As for Waitrose Essentials range being good value for money - just had a quick look at the cost of their tinned tomatoes - 45p compared to Tesco's value range of 33p. It does sound as if some people shop there just because of the name.

J Smith ● 5784d

> 45p compared to Tesco's value range of 33p.Price is not always (in fact, I would argue, is rarely) an indication of value.

Tony Colliver ● 5784d

Maybe not, but have tried both varieties and could not see any difference

J Smith ● 5784d

Of course, the saving of .12p could conceivably change my entire economic way of life.

Charles Campbell ● 5784d

"They rearranged everything a couple of months ago"... and haven't bothered to produce a plan of the new store so that you can see where everything is.  I was there this morning for the first time in a month.  Yes, their staff are always helpful if you need to find something, but that's not the answer to a radical rearrangment.  Email to head office coming up ...

Richard Jennings ● 5784d

I'd have aword with Waitrose West Ealing boss Nick Abel. He's very approachable and does listen to customers and does make changes as a result of listening.

Eric Alan Leach ● 5784d

Don't they have signs above the aisles telling people what type of item is in that particular aisle? I'm sure they do on the very rare occasion that I go into Waitrose.As for moving things around, most shops and supermarkets do this as it makes the customer look at things they would not necessarily look at. It is an example of making the customer buy thigns they wouldn't ordinarily buy.

J Smith ● 5783d

I've just checked and they do indeed have signs above the aisles. Perhaps people, instead of moaning that they can't find anything, should look at these signs first of all. It's not difficult.

J Smith ● 5778d

Well Mr Lord,You've now experienced the gratuitously rude Susan Kelly who seems to think she is entitled to try to belittle a person.Presumably because she considers herself middle class with all the borgeouis baggage that entails.Don't worry though.She has a history of this.Oh,and fyi Susan,I am a fit,health well adjusted and long time fully employed male who does not live on benefits nor in public housing.

Keith Iddon ● 5778d

Evidently, according to my wife, they do have signs hanging from the ceiling, but the shelves, which seem to be movable, have, in fact, been adjusted and, thus, the signs don't necessarily correspond with the exact location, but more a general direction.  Now, I know why it takes my wife forever to do the shopping.

Charles Campbell ● 5778d

Give over mate - G Lord deserves everything he gets as far as I can see.Susan had it just about right it seems to me.[Disclaimer: I don't know Susan; we've never met; I base all of my remarks purely on prejudices formed from observing people and their individual behaviours over time on this board.  :-) ]

Tony Colliver ● 5778d

Tony,I agree with your disclaimer and apply the same to my posts.

Keith Iddon ● 5778d