Waitrose supermarket was originally confined to the south of England, but stores have also opened in Buxton, Wilmslow, Sandbach, Durham and Hexham as well as four in the West Midlands and two in Edinburgh. My experience of Waitrose is based mainly on the stores in Havant and Southsea, but I also shop in the Chichester branch from time to time and am familiar with the stores in Petersfield and Waterlooville.

Waitrose has the reputation of being on the expensive side, but in actual fact Somerfield's prices are higher. Waitrose has its own brand of food and household products at very reasonable prices, and when you walk around the store it is worth looking out for grey and white 'price commitment' labels which indicate items at very competitive prices, for example Southern Gold Pure Orange Juice (from concentrate) at 62p a litre as of the date of writing. As in any supermarket, items nearing their sell- by date are reduced; sometimes they are in their usual place, sometimes in special bins at the end of aisles. There are also special offers that change monthly, details of which are given in a leaflet available in store. These are a few examples of the February-March 2008 offers:

buy one get one free on Colgate Plax Mouthwash
save one third on Aberdeen Angus Top Rump
buy 2 save GBP1.50 on Nestle Cheerios/Shreddies 375g/500g
save one third on Waitrose extra strong or ultra soft tissues
save GBP3 on Hardys Crest Shiraz/Chardonnay.

Waitrose stores have fresh counters for meat, fish, delicatessen and usually patisserie products. (Havant branch now has only self-service individual patisserie items.) The queue at the delicatessen counter can sometimes be a little slow, but I've never had to wait long for fresh fish. Prices at these counters are sometimes reduced, but I have never been disappointed with their quality. There is also a fresh salad bar and an olive bar. Chichester and Waterlooville have a carvery, rotisserie and meal centre as well as well as a 'bratt pan' where you can buy an Indian or Chinese meal to take away or eat in at their cafeteria.

A good range of organic babyfood, dairy products, tea, herbs & spices and sweets is available, as well as fruit and vegetables. There are a few wheat-free cereal products, namely Eat Natural Breakfast, a blend of seeds and nuts with honey and fruit, and Eat Natural cereal bars in several fruit flavours. Gluten-free products include baking accompaniments, packaged cheese and tinned vegetables. Waitrose

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Guide to the best supermarkets in the UK?
We want to hear your view. Write now!