Waitrose’s delivery service has failed to go the distance

The supermarket has suspended my regular delivery slot and won’t confirm it will reinstate it

My local Waitrose in Lincoln (along with Ipswich, I understand) is running what was supposed to be a four-week trial whereby only a proportion of the usual online shopping slots are available. However, my usual Saturday morning slot – which I have used for at least the last seven years – is unavailable into early May at least. This suggests that a decision to extend or make the trial permanent has been made. It means I have had to alter my Saturday schedule completely.

I suspect that if Waitrose deems the trial a success, it may be rolled out nationwide.

EW, Horncastle, Lincolnshire

Waitrose has confirmed that (phew!) your postcode is no longer part of the trial. However, there were some logistical issues due to the management of the operation in Lincolnshire, which it covers from one shop in Lincoln.

It says: “For customers further out in the north and south of the area, it meant we were making longer trips between deliveries and subsequently were able to offer customers fewer slots. We are therefore conducting a short trial where we provide customers in the north with morning slots and those in the south with afternoon slots one day and then alternate this throughout the week. This allows us to open up more slots as a driver can make more deliveries per hour.

“We are continuing to review feedback and can confirm Horncastle customers, like EW, will be able to choose from the full array of slots.”

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Contributor

Rebecca Smithers

The GuardianTramp

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