Waitrose to make huge loyalty scheme change this week that will leave shoppers divided
The supermarket is offering shoppers the chance to borrow a reusable coffee cup so they can redeem their free coffee when shopping as part of a new trial.
1
Shoppers will have seven days to return the cup to a designated collection point or they will be charged a £3 penalty.
The trial will reduce plastic waste as part of a 'circular' system.
The scheme will be available in nine branches before it can be rolled out more widely.
It is understood that its store in Newark is one of the shops taking part in the trial.
To 'Borrow a Free Cup' shoppers will need to tap their MyWaitrose card.
They can then fill the cup from Waitrose's hot drinks machine as usual.
A Waitrose spokesperson said: 'We're currently conducting a reusable cup trial in nine of our branches - it kicked off this week and is available for MyWaitrose members to use when redeeming their free coffee, or for our cafe customers to use if purchasing one.'
Shoppers who bring their own cup will still be able to claim their free coffee.
The only requirement for the reusable cups is that they fit under the nozzle of the self-service coffee machine.
What other changes has Waitrose made in store?
The move is the latest update to the supermarket's free hot drink offer after it changed its free coffee terms and conditions in January.
Shopper reveals the 'best time' to hit Waitrose for yellow sticker bargains, as she bags strawberries and milk for 69p
Previously the posh supermarket only offered the free drink to shoppers who bought something in store first.
This is the same rule as was initially brought in when the deal was first launched in 2013.
Shoppers still needed to bring a reusable cup in order to bag the freebie.
Waitrose brought back the free coffee perk in October 2022 after it was axed in 2017 to cut costs.
Supermarket loyalty schemes - which has one?
MOST UK supermarkets have loyalty schemes so customers can build up points and save money while they shop.
Here we round up what saving programmes you'll find at the big brands.
Iceland: Unlike other stores, you don't collect points with the Iceland Bonus Card. Instead, you load it up with money and Iceland will give you £1 for every £20 you save.
Lidl Plus: Lidl customers don't collect points when they shop, and are instead rewarded with personalised vouchers that gives them money off at the till.
Morrisons: The My Morrisons: Make Good Things Happen replaces the More Card and rewards customers with personalised money off vouchers via the app.
Sainsbury's: While Sainsbury's doesn't have a personal scheme, it does own the Nectar card which can also be used in Argos, eBay and other shops. You need 200 Nectar points to save up £1 to spend on your card. You need to spend at least £1 to get one Nectar point.
Tesco: Tesco Clubcard has over 17million members in the UK alone. You use it each time you shop and build up points that can be turned into vouchers - 150 points gets you a £1.50 voucher. Here you need to spend £1 in Tesco to get one point.
Waitrose: myWaitrose also doesn't allow you to collect points but instead you'll get access to free hot drinks, and discounts off certain brands in store.
Supermarket staff handed out cups to customers after they had paid for their shopping and there was no minimum spend.
The move left some members fuming while others criticised it and pointed out that you could buy a small item, such as a banana, to get the free drink.
Last August Waitrose trialled recyclable disposable coffee cups in ten of its stores.
It originally removed disposable cups from its stores in 2018 to reduce waste.
The change meant that only shoppers who brought their own cup could claim their free coffee.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
22 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Trump visit is in the public interest, says Chancellor
Mr Trump is due to touch down in Scotland on Friday evening ahead of a four-day visit, during which he will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney. His meeting with Sir Keir is seen as a chance to refine the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month. Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport on Friday morning, the Chancellor talked up the importance of the visit. 'It's in Britain's national interest to have strong relations with the US administration and as a result of both that long-term special relationship, but actually more importantly, the work that our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has done in building that relationship with President Trump has meant that we were the first country in the world to secure a trade deal,' she said. 'That has a tangible benefit for people here in Scotland, whether it is people working in the Scotch whisky industry or people working in the defence sector like here at Rolls-Royce, that trade deal means lower tariffs than any country in the world on things that we send to the US.' Ms Reeves dodged a question relating to senior ministers – including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray – supporting a motion when in opposition in 2019 calling for the president's first state visit to be cancelled and accusing him of 'misogynism, racism and xenophobia'. Mr Trump is expected to visit both of his golf clubs in Scotland – in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire – during the visit, which has been described as 'private' by the White House, before leaving on Tuesday. His presence is likely to spark protests across the country, with Police Scotland being forced to request aid from other forces to help increase manpower for the trip. In a carefully worded statement ahead of the visit, Mr Swinney said the focus it will bring to Scotland will allow people to have their voice heard on issues including 'war and peace, justice and democracy'. Mr Swinney added: 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' The First Minister said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. He also urged those seeking to protest to do so peacefully. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully,' Mr Swinney said. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US president requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'
Western Telegraph
38 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Trump visit is in the public interest, says Chancellor
Mr Trump is due to touch down in Scotland on Friday evening ahead of a four-day visit, during which he will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney. His meeting with Sir Keir is seen as a chance to refine the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month. Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport on Friday morning, the Chancellor talked up the importance of the visit. 'It's in Britain's national interest to have strong relations with the US administration and as a result of both that long-term special relationship, but actually more importantly, the work that our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has done in building that relationship with President Trump has meant that we were the first country in the world to secure a trade deal,' she said. US President Donald Trump will touch down in Scotland on Friday evening (PA) 'That has a tangible benefit for people here in Scotland, whether it is people working in the Scotch whisky industry or people working in the defence sector like here at Rolls-Royce, that trade deal means lower tariffs than any country in the world on things that we send to the US.' Ms Reeves dodged a question relating to senior ministers – including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray – supporting a motion when in opposition in 2019 calling for the president's first state visit to be cancelled and accusing him of 'misogynism, racism and xenophobia'. Mr Trump is expected to visit both of his golf clubs in Scotland – in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire – during the visit, which has been described as 'private' by the White House, before leaving on Tuesday. His presence is likely to spark protests across the country, with Police Scotland being forced to request aid from other forces to help increase manpower for the trip. In a carefully worded statement ahead of the visit, Mr Swinney said the focus it will bring to Scotland will allow people to have their voice heard on issues including 'war and peace, justice and democracy'. First Minister John Swinney will mee the US president during his visit to Scotland (PA) Mr Swinney added: 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' The First Minister said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. He also urged those seeking to protest to do so peacefully. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully,' Mr Swinney said. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US president requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Jay-Z teams up with Caesars and SL Green to bid for huge Times Square Casino project
MEGASTAR JAY-Z joined forces with some of the biggest names in the casino business, looking to pitch a Caesars Palace Times Square casino project in New York. The rapper - real name Shawn Carter - was among several attendees to sit in front of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and bid for one of three $500 million downstate licenses. 1 The Roc Nation co-founder was representing a partnership alongside Caesars Palace and SL Green Properties and pledged $250million in benefits to the community as part of their pitch to convert an existing office on Broadway. They face stiff competition though with EIGHT applications in total having been submitted to the New York State Gaming Commission. Jay-Z, who grew up in Brooklyn, says the location was "perfect" for the partnership group and says the introduction of a casino resort would only "fulfil and enhance" the area, which he likened to huge landmarks around the world. The 150,000-square-foot gambling hall would boast 1000 casino rooms, a Caesars Sportsbook, four restaurants associated with high-profile chefs and a spa. Concerns over the venue becoming the main attraction to Broadway have been rebuffed by the entrepreneur, who insists they would only act as an 'additive' to a tourist spot which entices over 50 million tourists per year. During the presentation, Jay-Z said: "It's our chance to change the narrative and create something all around the world. "If we treat Times Square with the love and the attention that it requires, it can fulfill its promise. 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I believe, to support something that's homegrown. 'As we hear a lot of talk about community, we are the community. We're from this community. 'We're not coming to compete with Broadway. We're coming to be additive. "Anything that we've done in the past, we've always included the community. We've never excluded the community.' The group's proposition also indicated a forecasted $7 billion in direct tax revenue and $26.7 billion in local economic activity in the first 10 years. Roc Nation also stated they'd supported more than five million people with social impacts worth more than $78 million. More than 3,000 construction jobs would be created as a result if they were awarded a license, and the 3,800 permanent jobs it would create would be 'mostly filled by New Yorkers'. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
