Waitrose picked up its second win in three weeks thanks to its Bagshot store, which saw off far larger rivals. The store cemented a commendable score of 80 points, but could have hit the mid-90s with a better showing on availability – dropping a mere six points across all the other five categories.
As it was, the two out-of-stocks and three not-stocked items – a showing likely influenced by the smaller store size – took their toll.
Other than that, our shopper sang the praises of the “bright and spacious” store, which had well-stocked shelves with “no major gaps” and plenty of staff around – “almost in every aisle, which made a nice change to some shops I’ve done”.
She also noted the well-stocked fish and meat counters, as well as a deli with lots of “enticing” foods such as fresh olives, onion bhajis, cheese and more. All of these were well stocked “even on a Friday evening”. Along with “very helpful” staff and a store that “didn’t feel crowded even though it was quite busy”, it all added up to an “enjoyable experience”.
Sainsbury’s in Whitley Bay took second place this week with 74 points. This score was similarly dragged down by availability, with three out-of-stocks and two not-stocked items. Our shopper was “surprised to see the sugar shelf virtually empty”, though she noted that “may have had something to do with Pancake Day”.
Otherwise, our shopper was impressed by the “incredibly well-managed store”, which was clean, tidy and orderly with a “calming” atmosphere. She was also able to find staff when needed, and “they were helpful when I did”.
Most notable was Dylan, “a delightful young man” who helped her find the Mr Muscle and biltong.
Tesco’s Overton Street store in Liverpool took third place this week with 68 points, performing even worse on availability than its peers. With five out-of-stocks and eight items not stocked, it scored zero in that category, but fared better elsewhere.
Our shopper, for example, was “struck by how spotlessly clean the floors were” as well as “the neatness of all the products on shelves”. She also enjoyed the store’s “very new, modern feel”, though she “found it a bit strange that a few of the aisles appeared to be in relative darkness compared to the rest of the store”.
There was a fairly steep drop-off this week to fourth-placed Asda, which scored just 54 points. Availability was an issue once again: there were three out-of-stocks and three not-stocked items. Our shopper also felt she “had to go out of my way to find someone” when she needed help.
When our shopper did find staff, she noted “only one [of four] was not as helpful as I would expect from Asda”. Of the others, she singled out Julie for being “very friendly and helpful” and her cashier Jim who was “very attentive and friendly”. She was also pleased to see the fridges now had doors and were clean and neatly stocked, because on her last visit she had not been “happy with the state of the fridges”.
Last of all came Morrisons in Rugely with 47 points. On availability, it had two out-of-stocks and three not-stocked items. Our shopper said the fruit & veg section was tidy, but there were numerous gaps on the shelves and “no staff around at all”.
There were also several restocking trolleys left around the store, as well as cages full of cardboard, only some of which were being used.
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