Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Waitrose withdraws ?essential? range after finding poor people in stores


UK supermarket chain Waitrose have withdrawn their popular ?essential? range after discovering that the cut-price products had led to a number of poor people shopping there.

The discount brand, launched in 2009 to help Waitrose?s core customer base cope with the recession without having to downgrade one of their Range Rovers..., was proving extremely successful. This success appears to have come at a price though, with the unwanted side effect of attracting the working class.

?At first it worked fine, our regular shoppers were delighted with the new range, and common people were still put off by the Waitrose branding? explained marketing director Rupert Thomas, ?but as we advertised more, and made the mistake of including the prices of products in our TV commercials, we began to see some undesirable characters appearing in our aisles, enticed in by the prospect of finding a tin of beans for under ?5, which they previously hadn?t expected from us. One horrid man even came in wearing a Hi-Vis vest looking for a sandwich. It was awful.?

The popularity of the ?essential? range had seen it quickly expand to include affordable versions of many foodstuffs and household items. To make matters worse Waitrose also starting pointing out that many of their prices were the same as those found in Tescos, attracting even more lower class shoppers and alienating many of their existing clientele. ?It was so demeaning finding out that I wasn?t paying any more for my groceries than a common chav? moaned former Waitrose customer Emily Hamilton-Brown. ?I?ve gone back to doing my weekly shop at Fortnum & Mason now, just to make sure I don?t accidentally purchase something that?s buy-one-get-one-free.?

?Hopefully withdrawing the products and stopping the adverts will stop any additional commoners coming in,? continued Mr Thomas, ?but we still have the problem of getting rid of the ones that have already started shopping with us. They?re still turning up, wandering around looking a bit lost and not buying anything. We?re thinking of putting up signs outside pointing out that Lidl down the road has some great deals on, or maybe we?ll just put down some traps baited with chicken nuggets so we can catch them humanely and release them in Asda.?B)

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/20321-waitrose/
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Well according to a newspaper article, Gail’s is opening 10 shops in London,,, yup Dulwich is named 10/5 I seem to recall with others in London opening at 7 am…!, Guess that is to capture workers coming off all night shift. Offering free mince pies until they run out.. So very sad to hear about Romeo Jones… been a customer since the opening, any idea where Patrick has gone or details… please pm me.    What is going to be in its place…. Will be around in Jan…umm village is changing….
    • interesting the police said "the car was in demand at the moment" what make/model is that?
    • Just be careful to know exactly what they cover and the limits. i use Many Pets and Medivet, as I think one of the vets is exceptionally good. Some of the NHV are, but I’ve had a couple I’ve not liked at all.  I need consistency and to feel that they actually care more about the animals than the money.  
    • I haven't used them myself but I noticed recently that "Snoots" in Forest Hill is going unlimited primary care for £33/month, so basically a subscription. Easy access on the 176 from East Dulwich. I have no idea what it includes so read the contract! It's a chain but only 5 branches so not a mega corporate. 🤷‍♂️ https://www.snootsvet.com/find-us
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...