Waitrose beat Asda and Morrisons on their dwelling turf in Leeds in The Grocer’s newest single-location thriller store.
What’s extra, it did so regardless of IT glitches that brought on widespread availability points throughout the Waitrose retailer property over the financial institution vacation weekend.
Leeds is Asda’s HQ, with Morrisons in close by Bradford. Not surprisingly they dominate by way of market share, with 10 supermarkets every – though Aldi has probably the most shops over 3,000 sq ft of any a number of at 14, in response to CACI (whereas Lidl has solely six).
With a inhabitants of 697,000, CACI evaluation exhibits Leeds has a lower-income buyer base than the nationwide common, whereas an above-average scholar inhabitants can also be a function due to its 4 universities.
Nonetheless, whereas HS2 gained’t be arriving in any case, Leeds is a vibrant metropolis with a powerful artwork and tradition scene, whereas the likes of Channel 4, Sky Information, the BBC and the federal government have not too long ago opened places of work right here, and it overindexes on what CACI calls ‘Lavish Life’ by 20% in contrast with the nationwide common.
It’s a bunch little question effectively catered for by Waitrose Inexperienced Highway, a 27,000 sq ft retailer within the up-and-coming Meanwood suburb, which provides a choice of counters together with cheese, sushi and patisserie, and John Lewis clothes and toys.
The “enticing” retailer scored 80 factors, with well dressed, useful, pleasant employees impressing. And it had the least out-of-stocks, although our shopper was given vouchers on the until to compensate for poor availability attributable to provide points.
Asda additionally carried out creditably. Its 52,658 sq ft retailer, situated on one of many major routes to the north east of town centre, has a 13.5% market share, regardless of a Tesco Further simply down the highway.
In addition to a superb automotive park, the shop structure labored effectively, with a “good comply with on from every division”. The shop was additionally clear and tidy with pleasant employees and good meals choices.
The Sainsbury’s retailer, within the busy White Rose Purchasing Centre on the south west of town, shares its automotive park with different shops, together with M&S.
Scoring 60 factors, the 60,000 sq ft retailer was clear and tidy, however employees had been of various helpfulness, whereas there have been queues for the three checkouts open, and our shopper’s receipt had a mistake for the value of the Tropicana orange juice.
Morrisons Kirkstall scored simply 45 factors, regardless of being a big, trendy and well-located superstore, on a major arterial path to the north west of Leeds.
The shows inside had been enticing however poorly stocked, together with the meals to go, which appeared depleted, and the sparse fish counter.
Our shopper was pressured to attend 10 minutes on the checkout, as solely 4 of the ten checkouts had been open. There have been no employees accessible to supply assist on the self-scan checkouts.
Seven gadgets had been out of inventory, together with the asparagus and the steak pie.
Tesco Roundhay Highway got here final with simply 41 factors, in a store that additionally featured seven out of inventory gadgets.
Tesco underindexes within the conventional heartland of Asda and Morrisons, with simply 5 shops, although the 31,379 sq ft retailer has a market share of 9.99%, larger than Sainsbury’s 7.75% share regardless of the smaller type issue.
Then again the illogical retailer structure made it onerous for our shopper to navigate aisles, retailer requirements had been poor and the slim entrance to the automotive park brought on queues upon getting into and leaving.