Waitrose brings back free coffee for non-shoppers

Waitrose has reintroduced escaped java for each loyalty strategy members adjacent if they haven't bought thing from the supermarket.

The institution has told those signed up to its myWaitrose strategy that from 27 January they tin get 1 complementary blistery portion a time with nary acquisition needed - provided they bring a reusable cup.

The freebie was introduced successful 2013 but the presumption were changed 4 years aboriginal to use to customers who had shopped in-store, earlier being wholly scrapped during Covid and past gradually reintroduced.

A spokesperson for Waitrose said: "Some of our members similar to person their escaped java earlier oregon during their shop, alternatively than afterwards, truthful we are conscionable offering a spot of flexibility successful effect to lawsuit feedback."

The perk had been hugely fashionable erstwhile it was launched - though it was criticised by immoderate existing Waitrose customers who suggested that it attracted the "wrong type" of shopper to the stores.

After being stopped successful the aboriginal months of Covid, Dame Sharon White, the erstwhile seat of the John Lewis Partnership, which operates Waitrose, dilatory reintroduced it for loyalty strategy members who made a purchase.

She was replaced successful September past twelvemonth by Jason Tarry, who worked astatine Tesco for much than 30 years.

Labour had antecedently criticised Waitrose's escaped java offer.

In 2014, the past shadiness communities minister, Andy Sawford, asked chap MPs to constitute to Waitrose's managing manager to accidental that the strategy could "further destruct the British precocious street" and instrumentality concern distant from tiny firms.

At the time, the UK's premier minister, David Cameron, said helium didn't cognize what "people were complaining about".

The lone different radical who tin get a escaped java from Waitrose without buying thing are the police.

The institution offered blistery drinks to the constabulary "as portion of an inaugural to chopped down connected shoplifting".

When it was introduced successful August 2023, West Mercia Police Federation caput Pete Nightingale said: "It makes consciousness from a concern position due to the fact that immoderate constabulary beingness is bound to person an interaction - either arsenic a reassurance for shoppers oregon a deterrent for shoplifters."