First the complimentary coffee threat, and now this. Waitrose angers customers with new free newspaper curbs
First came the threat to Middle England’s free coffee – and now this.
Waitrose has angered customers by announcing plans to increase the amount of money they have to spend before getting a free newspaper.
Read more: Brace yourself middle England: Waitrose's free coffee could be under threat
That’s right – from 1 November, loyalty card members will have to spend £10, rather than the current £5, to be given a free copy of the Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Mail or Sun on a weekday. Customers already have to spend £10 to get a free weekend paper.
The move comes just days after it emerged that some of the supermarket's stores will require customers to actually BUY something in order to get a free coffee or tea.
It would be fair to say that some, at least some on social media, have taken the news badly.
https://twitter.com/GECFrost/status/788524219764277248
https://twitter.com/jamesctaylor/status/788635742847242240
Dear @waitrose your £5 newspaper offer keeps me coming to your store most days. Doubling it to £10 I'm afraid I won't bother. #ChangeItBack
— Mark Phillips (@wondermouse) October 18, 2016
Read more: Rosé wine, gin and ice cream sales gave Waitrose a summer boost last week
Others were more philosophical.
How dare @waitrose try and run its company properly! You should continue to give stuff away until you become the next #BHS #WOOLWORTHS
— Dave (@placidsheep) October 19, 2016
Reported "fury" at @waitrose dropping free coffee? Rather, congratulations! It half-ruined decent independent smalltown cafes. Bully tactic.
— Libby Purves (@lib_thinks) October 19, 2016
If only there was a free newspaper, preferably focusing on business news, distributed around the London area on weekday mornings to make up for this disaster. If only.
Waitrose said:
Like any business, we regularly review promotions to ensure we balance providing value for our customers with a return on our investment. We are still the only supermarket where if you buy a selected newspaper you will receive money off the rest of your shopping.