The Waitrose Thread

Will somebody tell me what is going to change when my Somerfield branch (I work about 10 hours a week) becomes a Waitrose? (I'm not talking about the signs above the doors etc.)

Some people at work seem to think it'll be exactly the same (i.e. same people, same managers (but a new 'store manager') but with a different uniform, different products etc.

Others seem to think that there will be a major difference once we become a Waitrose as it is obviously a top end retailer, e.g. Mum says it will be much stricter.

I can see where both arguments are coming from so I thought I'd ask the experts (you guys) about it..

Thanks.

Will somebody tell me what is going to change when my Somerfield branch (I work about 10 hours a week) becomes a Waitrose? (I'm not talking about the signs above the doors etc.)

Some people at work seem to think it'll be exactly the same (i.e. same people, same managers (but a new 'store manager') but with a different uniform, different products etc.

Others seem to think that there will be a major difference once we become a Waitrose as it is obviously a top end retailer, e.g. Mum says it will be much stricter.

I can see where both arguments are coming from so I thought I'd ask the experts (you guys) about it..

Thanks.

You see, at the moment you put the boxes on the shelves and rip the front off, at waitrose everything is removed and stacked nicely. Other than this, customer service trainign will be given as this is seen as waitrose's forté and uniform obviously, and obviously your branch will get a complete facelift.

Not too different then, 'cuz personally I always look pretty smart and give good polite customer service (about the only one that does lol ) and I don't rip the boxes open etc., I like making all the shelves look neat

Even Somerfields exceptional customer service wont come close to the Waitrose standard I'm afraid, Waitrose standard, is a little too much

Lol our customer service on the whole is pretty average. But to be honest there's not a lot more I and a couple of the others can do to please customers (I guess with Waitrose if anything it might be less personal and more strict.following procedures?! - like at the moment I offer to carry shopping out for old people etc.)

Lol our customer service on the whole is pretty average. But to be honest there's not a lot more I and a couple of the others can do to please customers (I guess with Waitrose if anything it might be less personal and more strict.following procedures?! - like at the moment I offer to carry shopping out for old people etc.)

Will somebody tell me what is going to change when my Somerfield branch (I work about 10 hours a week) becomes a Waitrose? (I'm not talking about the signs above the doors etc.)

Some people at work seem to think it'll be exactly the same (i.e. same people, same managers (but a new 'store manager') but with a different uniform, different products etc.

Others seem to think that there will be a major difference once we become a Waitrose as it is obviously a top end retailer, e.g. Mum says it will be much stricter.

I can see where both arguments are coming from so I thought I'd ask the experts (you guys) about it..

Thanks.

Hi guys, i've got a group interview on Monday and I am really nervous! I was just wondering if anyone could help as I am going to University in October and was just wondering if there is much point going along, if they will employ me to work for a few months as could i get a student transfer/work in the same branch during hols or do you actually have to have completed the 3 months working there before asking about a transfer?!
Thank You!

Thank you Lucy! yes i will be honest then because it was only temporary so hopefully it will be around the same time frame! what branch do you work for if you don't mind me asking?!

Basically Waitrose will come in and rip out any element of Somerfield. Your managers will all be trained to Waitrose standard and you will get the "interim" uniform which is a black shirt, trousers or skirt and a black apron.
At least you won't have to wear the old uniform!

If you need any more info feel free to post on here or PM me.

Lucy

..hey again..continuing from our chat the other day (sort of).

i got my "training schedule" thingy the other day - 54 hours over 3 weeks. well i can't do that because of exam leave. so i rang up and told the nice lady, who said she'd cut it down a lot for me.

also, it had "meat" as the reference at the top and meat/fish cutting training on it even though i'm supposed to be on the checkouts. so that was odd.

what i want to know is what training is the normal? it should be the case that i'm going to be doing quite a lot less (nearer 15-20 hopefully) than the 54 hours originally suggested (54 hours is excessive in my opinion for someone who hasn't been in retail for the past two and a half years, never mind someone that has...even 15-20 is too much..something crazy is going on here right?!).

It seems so, If your on Checkouts I don't know why they are intially training you on meat? That is worth checking. 15-20 Hours will include your induction, customer service, product knolw, and checkouts training. I suspect.

Best of checking, no one at my branch has that much training but we are an established branch and not new! Is this a conversion branch?

Lucy

I know you have to do POB (2) officialy but I don't think there is anything else.