Waitrose is to offer over-the-counter travel money in its supermarkets.
Shoppers will now be able to purchase euros and US dollars from the customer service counter in an initial 100 Waitrose stores, in what is the latest effort to upgrade and more closely integrate the service offer across Waitrose and John Lewis stores.
Cash will be available in multiples of either $250 and €250, or $500 and €500. Shoppers can request up to two wallets at a time, seven days a week.
The new Travel Money To Go service would complement existing Bureau De Change concessions in John Lewis stores as well as the partnership’s online offer.
Waitrose currently offers a click & collect cash service in over 50 currencies, from its 330 stores. Customers can also order cash online for next-day delivery to their door.
Having the service available over Waitrose counters would enable shoppers to pick up their cash at the same time as their “holiday essentials” such as suncream and teabags, Waitrose said.
“We know our customers will often do a last-minute quick shop before heading on holiday,” said Matt Richardson, John Lewis Money head of foreign exchange.
“Our new travel money service means customers can collect their holiday money from 100 Waitrose stores at the same time as buying their last-minute teabags and other travel essentials. Customers should head to the welcome desk and our partners will be happy to help.”
Waitrose’s turnaround plan
The John Lewis partnership is aiming to make its stores more “convenient” to shop, as part of its ongoing store transformation and turnaround plan. The rollout of the over-the-counter cash comes alongside the expansion of its on-demand offer, including a trial between Uber Eats and John Lewis which launched this week.
While other supermarkets have been rolling back their banking offer – like Sainsbury’s, which sold its banking division to Natwest last year – JLP sees it as a crucial income stream and is aiming to grow the offer in order to fuel its turnaround plan.
Membership of its Partnership Card grew 6% last year, according to its latest annual results. However, the retailer has been accused of short-changing customers with plans to water down the terms of the card, first reported by The Guardian in June.
From August, shoppers will earn fewer points on purchases made at other retailers. Instead of one point for every £4 spent, they’ll now receive one point for every £10. The partnership aims to reward its “most valued” shoppers, by offering them bigger rewards when spending in John Lewis and Waitrose stores.
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