A former Waitrose employee from Surrey has shared insider tips on how customers can get freebies and staff discounts at the upmarket supermarket chain. The tips range from the best time to shop to the size of employee perks.
One of the key secrets involves visiting a store about 10 minutes before closing time. Staff are sometimes instructed to distribute complimentary perishable items, such as bouquets or loaves of bread, making it worth sticking around near the end of the day.
Waitrose also operates a 'Pick Your Own' sticker scheme, allowing employees to give free items to shoppers to brighten their day, show kindness, or apologise for a poor experience. If a specific product is unavailable, staff may offer a comparable substitute free of charge.
Employees enjoy a generous 20% discount at Waitrose & Partners and 25% at John Lewis & Partners, available after three months of service. The discount can be shared with one additional cardholder, making it particularly useful during Christmas.
The former worker also highlighted the high cleanliness standards at Waitrose, with dedicated staff constantly maintaining counters. Additionally, employees can purchase food at a fraction of the retail price, and overnight team members often wear comfortable clothing and headphones while restocking shelves.
Hidden staff-only side doors allow employees to enter and exit without interruption from customers, providing secure access outside regular hours and leading to staff areas like smoking zones.
