Waitrose scraps free newspapers for members

Waitrose has scrapped its free newspaper offer to loyalty card customers amid a food inflation high.

The supermarket has emailed members who hold a MyWaitrose card informing them they will no longer receive a free newspaper when they spend £10 or more from 22 Februrary.

“Nobody shops quite like you – so we’re updating myWaitrose to make it even more personal,” the email stated.

“As part of these changes, the myWaitrose newspaper offer will be ending on 22 February 2022. But we’re replacing it with something new – look our for updates in the coming weeks.”

READ MORE: Waitrose owners “don’t believe it’s right” to cut sick pay for unvaccinated employees

In exchange for removing newspaper perks, the retailer has promised personalised offers, special members-only prices and discounts on cooking classes.

In 2017, Waitrose stopped offering free coffees for members after their shop – provoking similar loyalty backlash.

Customers have taken the backlash to twitter, with a user stating, “So you’re removing the free newspaper from #mywaitrose later this month.”

“I’ve never taken you up on the free coffee but the free paper is what makes me shop at Waitrose.”

The user added they would do their weekly shops in Lidl in the future and Waitrose had lost his loyalty.

Waitrose added: “Look out for updates in the coming weeks – and in the meantime, keep using your myWaitrose card, because the more you use it, the more personalised we’ll be able to make your offers.”

The news comes as more shoppers have switched to Lidl and Aldi as the cost of living crisis continue squeeze household budgets.

With the CPI for food inflation rising to 5.4%, supermarkets have been cutting jobs, loyalty perks or raising retail prices to stay afloat.

A Waitrose spokesperson said: “We’re improving the myWaitrose programme to offer customers personalised discounts on the products they buy most.

“While the newspaper offer was enjoyed by some of our customers, in reality it was only being used by around 5% of members. The new approach will mean that all members can make greater savings by receiving benefits tailored to them.”

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1 Comment. Leave new

  • Andrew Stone
    March 4, 2022 3:05 pm

    If the free newspaper offer was only being used by 5% of customers it can’t have cost Waitrose much, so
    why alienate those shoppers like me who were drawn in by it ? Certainly I haven’t been back since they withdrew
    offer. Money off vouchers don’t do it for me.
    Andy

    Reply

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