A former Waitrose employee has revealed supermarket secrets including the best times to shop for discounts, how to bag freebies, and some tips every shopper should know.
Founded in 1904, Waitrose has become one of the most popular stores in the UK. It first began as a small grocery known as Waite, Rose & Taylor in west London. While it is typically known for its upmarket reputation, the supermarket has served Britain for countless decades, offering organic food and drink.
An ex-worker, who was based in Surrey, shared everything from the best time to shop to the size of staff discounts.
1. Best Time for Freebies
Complimentary items are occasionally distributed before closing time. Team members are sometimes instructed to collect various perishable items. From bouquets to entire loaves of bread, it could be anything, so it is definitely worth sticking around. Why not pop to your nearest Waitrose 10 minutes before closing and see what happens?
2. 'It's on Us' Stickers
These stickers are part of a customer service initiative allowing staff to give free items to shoppers to brighten their day, show kindness, or apologise for a poor experience. If you wish to purchase a specific product which is unavailable, staff might locate a comparable substitute and approve a complimentary item on that replacement product.
3. The Employee Discount
Employees receive a generous discount, generally 20% off at Waitrose & Partners, or 25% off when shopping at John Lewis & Partners. This benefit is available after three months of service and can be used on a wide range of goods, with one additional cardholder eligible to share the discount. The best part is you also receive a spare card for a family member – a handy bonus that comes in particularly useful around Christmas and can also be used at John Lewis.
4. Cleanliness Is an Absolute Priority
Supermarkets generally strive to maintain a decent standard of cleanliness, but at Waitrose, expectations go well beyond simply ticking boxes on a checklist. With various counters throughout the store, there is always at least one member of staff doing their bit to keep things neat and tidy.
5. Discounted Food in the Break Room
Waitrose employees can pick up food at a fraction of the normal retail price – so if you fancy quality sandwiches on the cheap, landing a job there might just be the answer.
6. The Night Shift Crew
Ever wondered how your favourite products magically reappear on the shelves? That is all down to the dedicated overnight team keeping things running behind the scenes. They often get to wear their own comfortable clothing while going about their work, headphones in, making the most of having the shop floor largely to themselves.
7. Discreet Staff-Only Entrances
Hidden side doors are set aside exclusively for staff, allowing them to come and go without being stopped by customers while they are on shift. These entrances enable employees to access the store outside of regular opening hours, with some also leading to staff-only smoking areas when required. They are also part of the secure, behind-the-scenes infrastructure that supports the overnight team and daytime operations.
