Upmarket supermarket Waitrose has topped a list of the best supermarkets in the UK, after receiving a 9.5 out of 10 score and praise for its quality of food and great ambience.
The ‘Big Four’ supermarket chains including Tesco and Asda appeared further down the list as Ocado and Marks & Spencer took second and third place respectively.
Produce displayed inside a Waitrose supermarket © Rex
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The survey considered overall shopping experience, value for money and how knowledgeable the staff was.
Consumer experts from canieatit.co.uk, which compiled the research, also carefully examined the nutritional information, choice and quality when compiling the list from their own investigations as well as using feedback from the site’s users.
Despite being criticised recently for being too middle class, Waitrose won top marks for improving prices in its own range and offering shoppers something “extra special” with partnerships from experts including Heston Blumenthal, noted professional food and drink taster Mark Isark from Can I Eat It.
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Tesco only came above ‘no frills’ stores Aldi and Lidl, in eighth place with a score of 6.0 and is noted to have food that is not at the same level of quality as the rest of the big chains.
“Tesco, like Asda, has not done badly, they have just not improved as much as the supermarkets above them.
“Their aisle staff’s product knowledge is not as good as it could be. Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s lead the way,” said Isark.
“The fresh fish and meat counters are a big step down from Morrisons with their service and quality. The fruit and veg is not as consistent or as good as Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s or The Co-operative,” he added.
Sainsbury’s made it into fourth with The Co-operative behind it, followed by Morrison’s and Asda in sixth and seventh place.
The budget stores Aldi and Lidl received positives comments for the pre-packed meats, jams, biscuits and chocolates but lost points for their lack of customer service.
The UK’s top 10 favourite supermarkets
1. Waitrose2. Ocado
3. Marks & Spencer
4. Sainsbury’s
5. The Co-operative
6. Morrisons
7. Asda
8. Tesco
9. Aldi
10. Lidl
