Forum Topic

Waitrose returns to Acton!

It is true! Waitrose is launching a new store in Acton, but it will be used only to fulfil online orders, according to an article in the Independent today.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/waitrose-turns-screws-on-ocado-with-virtual-store-2270216.html

Tina Spooner ● 5630d11 Comments

So, apart from employing about 350 people locally, not actually any more use to residents than if it was in Timbuctoo?Pity!

Sara Nathan ● 5630d

I agree, what use is an online store especially for those who don't  have access to a pc, not everyone does or even if they do like me don't want someone to do their shopping for me and actually like choosing my own goods!why can't they just make a shop where customers can go and shop!!i may as well shop online at any other store, it won't attract customers and is a stupid idea in every way, god knows what the planners were thinking of.

Lesley Russell ● 5629d

What a bizarre statement!!! If you don't want to do online shopping, then you're no worse off. If you want to shop in Waitrose, there are three locally - West Ealing, Chiswick and Westfield, all a short bus or train from Acton. You're never going to get a Waitrose store in Acton, there's nowhere to put it and Acton is not really a target market for Waitrose.However for those of us that do like doing our shopping online, this improves our options.

Adam Hammond ● 5629d

Unless you want Waitrose deliveries of course....can't imagine that they're opening in Acton to deliver to Timbuctu.

Adam Hammond ● 5629d

I visit all of those Waitroses at different times and feel that Acton is losing out and that people should be looking to raise the profile and standard of our their local neighbourhood. i shop online at tesco & shop in both m&s and waitrose in person. There are ample places to put a store in Acton at at cheaper rent than the breeding ground of say Chiswick.

Lesley Russell ● 5629d

Hmm, So if Waitrose are doing online deliveries, what will Ocado be doing?

Neil Owens ● 5628d

Isn't Ocado a separate entity with a contract to supply with Waitrose?

Sara Nathan ● 5628d

So it appears that Waitrose have gone into direct competition with Ocado (who have a 10 year deal with them) selling Waitrose products....

Neil Owens ● 5628d

This from the Just-Food website (whatever that is but looks respectable)UK: Waitrose expands online arm with Acton warehouseBy: just-food.com | 20 April 2011Waitrose is expanding its online service catering for customers in London with the opening of a new warehouse in the west of the UK capital.The upmarket UK grocer, which is building an online business for customers within the M25, has opened a "virtual shop" in Acton where employees will pick products for online orders.The move is part of Waitrose's moves to develop its online business within the lucrative M25 after a non-competition agreement with Ocado ended.Ocado, the purely online grocer, sells Waitrose products around the UK and has a deal to do so until 2020.However, the two businesses are now competing in the M25 region and Waitrose MD Mark Price said the opening of the Acton warehouse was a "significant step" in the retailer's "multi-channel offer"."The density of population and rapid growth of online shopping in London calls for an additional approach to e-commerce to ensure that we offer our customers the same standards of service that they've come to expect from our branches," Price said.

Sara Nathan ● 5628d

So, order the same bag of groceries from Ocado and Waitrose to be delivered on the same day and at the same time.Who will win?Only one way to find out.....Fight!!

Neil Owens ● 5628d

As I understand it, Ocado are flogging themselves round the stock market at the moment. There was a rumour that Morrison's were interested in buying them (!) so I'm guessing that Waitrose are getting ready to be able to do without them.

Adam Hammond ● 5624d