Next opens first beauty hall concepts at Intu Watford & Milton Keynes
Next has officially opened the doors to its first bricks-and-mortar beauty concepts at Intu Watford and Intu Milton Keynes. The two stores, which both opened on the same day, fall under Next’s Beauty & Home fascia and are located within former Debenhams sites. The fashion retail giant first announced bring its online beauty offer to bricks-and-mortar back in May. Plans are also afoot to open another Next beauty hall concept within the former Debenhams site at Intu Metrocentre, along with at least three other former Debenhams sites at Hammerson shopping centres. Debenhams had previously confirmed it would not reopen around 20 of its stores, some of which are located within Hammerson and Intu centres, once retail lockdown restrictions were lifted and as part of its wider administration process. The new Next Beauty & Home stores at Watford and Milton Keynes feature a beauty hall, homewares and furnishings, plus women’s accessories, nightwear and lingerie and a cafe. The UK health and beauty market is set to grow by 8.8 per cent by 2024 according to Global Data, when it would be worth an extra £2 billion. Next previously said it recognised the opportunity to develop an extensive premium beauty business after a successful online collaboration with Fabled by Marie Claire, which launched on the fashion retailer’s ecommerce site in October 2018. Next now sells over 200 beauty brands on its website – including premium brands Estee Lauder, Burberry, Bvlgari, Emporio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent and Lancôme – and acquired Fabled in July 2019 from Ocado. The new store opens also provide a further vote of confidence for Intu as it pushes on with its administration process, especially for its Watford centre after renewed its lease contract with anchor retailer Primark last week. “We are delighted to have welcomed the first shoppers to Next Beauty & Home at Intu Watford,” said Kate Grant, speaking on behalf of Intu Watford. “This is a great addition to the centre, and will be fantastic for visitors looking to purchase gifts in the run up to Christmas. “The health and beauty sector is performing well at present, and is set for further growth – so this is a great time for Next Beauty & Home to open its doors. “We are confident that the store will thrive at a high footfall location like Intu Watford, and we look forward to working with them. “We are seeing a healthy flow of new deals and openings like this one across our centres, as confidence continues to pick up across the retail sector.”
Levi's launches resale platform offering users $25 for their old jeans
Levi’s has become the latest fashion retailer to launch its own resale platform allowing customers to sell their old jeans back to the brand.
Levi’s Secondhand launched this week, offering resellers between $15 and $25 in store credit for their old Levi’s jeans depending on quality.
For jeans that are too well-worn to be resold, Levi’s will still offer $5 in credit and recycle the garments with partner Renewcell.
The platform will then relist the garments for between $30 and $100 for customers to purchase, with price points again depending on quality.
For the launch of its new circular fashion platform, Levi’s has signed up a range of celebrities including Jaden Smith, Hailey Beiber, Maeve Reiley, Carolyn Murphy, Amber Valletta, June Ambrose and Lily Aldridge.
“Repurposing and repairing clothes requires minimal additional energy input, no water and no dyes to make more jeans,” Levi’s chief marketing officer Jennifer Sey said.
“Buying a used pair of Levi’s through SecondHand saves approximately 80% of the CO2 emissions and 700 grams of waste compared to buying a new pair of Levi’s.
“We want to make Levi’s Secondhand second nature. This launch is the first step, but definitely not the last one.”
Decathlon books sales uptick in the UK amid expansion scheme
Decathlon has revealed strong growth in the UK and an increase in its investments to further deliver its expansion scheme amid rising demand. In its annual trading update, the French sports and outdoor leisure retailer recorded a 10.3 per cent uptick in sales in its UK market, boosted by an 18.2 per cent in online sales. Decathlon, which has been trading in the UK since 1999 and currently employs 1600 people, said its gross sales were £277.6 million while net sales came in at £236.5 million. Despite strong growth in turnover, Decathlon said expected loss of £7.5 million before tax was due to £4.3 million investment in new stores and infrastructure amid its UK expansion programme. The retailer said that despite the turbulent times presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK market remains a main target of growth for business and re-iterated a strong plan of investments to match its expectations of growth, both physically and digitally, in the country. In the last financial year, Decathlon opened a new store in Ealing Broadway in west London and will also open a new store in Aberdeen by the end of the year. In 2021, the sports retailer plans to open four new stores, with one already confirmed for Leeds. The retailer added that it has invested in a modernised ecommerce solution and a new supply chain infrastructure to strengthen its multichannel offering, while also creating opportunities for employees to continue to or become co-owners in the Decathlon business via a dedicated shareholder scheme. At the end of 2019, the retailer said more than 705 of its UK staff were shareholders in the business. “Last year’s results show a trading period where turnover has strongly improved,” Decathlon chief financial officer Alberto Bottan said. “And even if 2020 remains a very complicated year due to the Covid impact on retail, we are very confident in our ongoing performances and we aim to achieve profitability by the end of the year. “We have invested over £200,000 in the training and development of our teams, that are at the heart of our expansion strategy.” He added: “Online has continued to grow strongly and we keep investing heavily in ecommerce and warehousing to help fulfil growing online demand. “There are three elements to highlight looking forward to 2020: first of all we are very proud to have fully preserved employment during this terrible period; secondly we observe a strong acceleration in terms of urban mobility and fitness categories, where we can offer some amazing products to our customers; finally we are increasing our omni-channel capacities through innovative solutions like delivery from store or very fast, local deliveries.”
Homebase launches UK first green aisle
Homebase has launched of the UK’s first “green aisle” to showcase a range of energy efficient and environmentally friendly products to encourage and help shoppers to make sustainable purchases. Known as The Green Aisle, the initiative aims to meet shifting consumer demands as new research shows that almost three quarters (74 per cent) of Brits are keen to make their homes greener. The aisles, created in collaboration with Smart Energy GB, will initially be rolled out in five Homebase stores: Haringey, Selly Oak (Birmingham), Edinburgh, Leeds Moor Allerton, and Bridge End. A further 132 Homebase stores featuring the “The Green Areas”, stocking a smaller range of sustainable products, to open until the end of October. Products featured within The Green Aisle include energy-saving items such as insulation and draught excluders, AAA+ rated white goods, environmentally friendly paint and extra absorbent, water-saving compost. The space will also feature details on how customers can arrange to have a smart meter installed by their energy provider. The launch builds upon Homebase’s recent Great British Green Up campaign, which saw the home and DIY retailer champion biodiversity by encouraging people to “green up” their outdoor spaces throughout summer. “We know that more and more of our customers are looking to make environmentally friendly decisions as they embark on home and garden improvement projects,” Homebase trading director Chris O’Boyle said. “The Green Aisle not only puts some of our most sustainable and eco-friendly products all in one place for those who know what they’re looking for, but will also provide advice and inspiration, supported by our expert teams, for people who need a hand turning their green ambitions into reality. “Whether it’s something as simple as a draught excluder to sit at the bottom of a door, getting a smart meter installed or a bigger project such as installing new insulation, there are hundreds of ways – both big and small – that we can help people make a positive difference to their home.” Robert Cheesewright from Smart Energy GB said: “We’re delighted to be working with Homebase to launch the first ever ‘Green Aisle’ in 137 stores nationwide. “The government’s Green Homes Grant provides investment for us to make our homes more energy efficient. “But energy efficiency steps don’t always have to be expensive. Contacting your energy supplier to get a smart meter installed will also help you to do your bit for the environment. “Each installation moves Britain closer to achieving a smart energy system that makes better use of renewable power and reduces our reliance on fossil fuels.” The products featured on the The Green Aisle are also available to purchase online on Homebase’s website.
AO to create over 100 jobs with new warehouse launch
AO has begun a hiring spree to coincide with the opening of its third distribution warehouse in four months as it continues to expand its logistics network. The new site is AO’s largest warehouse to date, adding over 275,000sq ft of distribution space to its portfolio with the premises at G-Park in Stoke-on-Trent. The online electricals retailer will create 120 new jobs in a range of roles this week. In recent months, AO has acquired over half a million square ft of new warehousing space across Cheshire and Staffordshire to ensure it has the capacity to manage growing customer demand. AO also said it is launching a nationwide recruitment drive for over 650 jobs across Staffordshire. While the large site will be used primarily for distribution to AO’s 18 ‘local hub’ depots nationwide, there are plans for it to include a delivery depot to be closer to customers in the area. “Expanding our logistics network is a crucial step in our growth strategy, so we can continue to serve customers when they need us the most,” AO Logistics managing director David Ashwell said. “We’ve really had to act quickly to adapt to an influx in customers following the Covid-19 lockdown. “By actively securing more warehousing space and creating hundreds of new, quality jobs in the process, we’re working hard to invest in the future.” “As a business, we’re proud to provide both an essential service for customers and a safe working environment for our people, with social distancing in place. “Our team have continued to adapt to necessary changes and they are taking the swift expansion in their stride. “With our latest distribution sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, we’ve now established a strong logistics hub in the North West.”
Watches of Switzerland Q2 sales surge 20%
Watches of Switzerland has enjoyed bumper trading throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with a strong second quarter update prompting it to raise its full year sales forecast. The first 10 weeks of the current quarter, which ends on October 25, the retailer has so far generated revenue of £202.7 million – a 20.2 per cent year-on-year increase in constant currency or 18.3 per cent on a reported basis. Its UK market has been be driven by strong domestic sales, making up for lost revenue from tourists due to travel restrictions amid the pandemic. Tourism sales in Watches of Switzerland’s second quarter has so far accounted for just 9.2 per cent of the retailer’s overall revenue, compared to the same period last year when it for 32.5 per cent. Watches of Switzerland added that its regional stores were outperforming its London stores, where footfall remains weak due to low numbers of office workers and tourists. Usually it’s the other way around. The retailer’s UK quarterly sales to date are up 12.6 per cent to £145.1 million, boosted by a 49.9 per cent in ecommerce sales. In the US, Watches of Switzerland’s quarterly sales to date came in at £57.7 million, up 43.4 per cent in constant currency or 35.2 per cent on a reported basis. The retailer also said new product launches “have also been stronger than anticipated with a positive influence on sales”. As a result of its performance so far, Watches of Switzerland has revised its FY21 guidance upwards, with revenue expected to be between £888 million and £910 million – a significant increase on the £840 million to £860 million previously predicted.
Frasers Group CFO reiterates warning that House of Fraser stores will have to close
Frasers Group has reiterated a warning that a number of House of Fraser stores will be forced to shut down unless the government reforms the business rates system. Speaking at the company’s AGM today, chief financial officer Chris Wootton said the business rates scheme needed to be “fit for purpose”. Retail stores were given a holiday in business rates payments this financial year, but in April 2021 the system will restart with payments based on valuations from 2015. Frasers Group has said current valuations fail to account for a slump in property values and called for the next revaluation to be pushed forward from 2023. “We believe the government should be working very hard to address the business rates crisis,” Wootton said. “We have House of Fraser stores that even though they pay zero rent, still lose money – largely because of [business] rates. “Unfortunately, a number of House of Fraser stores will have to close, unless the government gets on with making the business rates system fit for purpose.” Frasers Group majority owner Mike Ashley had previously warned of House of Fraser store closures before the coronavirus pandemic escalated to what it is today. In December last year, he said the current business rates system was “broken and unworkable”. Ashley himself remained silent during the mostly-virtual 25 minute AGM at Frasers Group’s headquarters in Shirebrook, Derbyshire earlier today, during which shareholders were expected to also vote on a staff bonus scheme worth potentially more than £100 million. It followed a tumultuous summer which saw the company hit by enforced store closures, after facing scorn over appeals to the government that Sports Direct outlets should remain open with essential status. Frasers Group said its new bonus scheme would be open to the “vast majority” of its 30,000 workers, who will receive either cash or share awards. However, the payout would only be triggered if shares more than double in value within the next four years to at least £10 and for a sustained period. Wootton told shareholders that it was a “challenging target but achievable” following progress in the company’s “elevation strategy”. City analysts expressed scepticism over Frasers Group’s £10 share price target. “There’s an enormously higher profit base that they’re alluding to to get to £10 a share,” Peel Hunt retail expert Jonathan Pritchard said. “I’m all ears as to the road map of how to get to £10.” Shares in Frasers Group closed at 360.8p on Tuesday. Investors in the company were also due to vote on the re-election of its bosses at AGM. However, Ashley and chairman David Daly have faced opposition from major shareholder advisory firm Pirc, which advised investors to vote against Ashley’s re-election after allegations that Frasers Group had asked staff to work during furlough. Pirc said this was “representative of a corporate culture that does not meet best practice standards with regard to the treatment of employees”. During the meeting, Wootton said the company was “confident” that it followed the rules regarding furlough and has since discussed the matter with HMRC. Pirc said it was also opposing Daly’s re-election on allegations that there was a lack of action over increasing ethnic and cultural diversity in the boardroom and for not setting up a sustainability committee. However, Pirc has given the staff bonus scheme the thumbs-up, citing the fact it was “open to all employees on an equal basis and has a strong participation rate”. Frasers Group last made a bonus scheme payout to employees in 2017 when it shared a £43 million pot between 2000 staff. The scheme is dependent on employee length of service, with those having worked at the group for four years or more potentially in line for a cash bonus worth up to four weeks’ salary. The so-called Fearless 1000 would be entitled to possible share payouts, with the top 10 performers receiving awards worth a possible £1 million while the remainder could pick up shares worth between £50,000 and £500,000. The scheme will not include Frasers Group’s directors and consultants. Frasers Group’s full-year results in August showed revenues for the year to April 26 rose 6.9 per cent to £3.96 billion, but pre-tax profits were down 12.9 per cent to £101 million.
Ikea eyes 50 new stores worldwide - 30 of which will open next year
Ikea has revealed plans to open a record number of stores around the world – including in the UK – despite a dramatic shift to online shopping due to the pandemic. The Swedish furniture giant and its franchisees wants to add 50 new stores to the 445 sites in its current worldwide portfolio. Thirty of these new Ikea stores will open next year – one of which will be its first city-centre UK store in Hammersmith, west London, due to open in spring. The news comes as Ikea reported a four per cent decline in overall global sales to €35.2 billion (£32 billion) in the year to the end of August. The sales dip was driven by enforced store closures from various lockdowns restrictions across 75 per cent of the company’s global store estate. Online sales surged 60 per cent during the year and accounted for 18 per cent of Ikea’s total sales – compared to 11 per cent the previous year. Ikea also said it did make a full-year profit, but it did not disclose how much. Nonetheless, it the furniture retailer said it has reimbursed the money it received through the furlough scheme as the business “recovered faster than expected”. It also said the trading update delivered a better result than it had expected at the height of the global lockdown. Ingka Group, a franchise company that operates the majority of Ikea stores, attributed the ambitious store expansion plans to rising demand after lockdown as people continue to refurbish their homes. “We were expecting a gradual ramp-up in our business [when our stores began to reopen around the world], but we like many others were absolutely wrong,” Inkga Group boss Jesper Brodin told BBC’s Today programme today. “From day one of opening we have had a tremendous interest in coming back to our stores.”
Tesco increases shareholder payouts as half-year profits soar
Tesco investors are in line for a big payout after the grocery giant said it would increase the dividend and make a one-off payment after interim profits soared by more than a quarter. The Big 4 retailer said it made a pre-tax profit of £551 million in the first half of the year, a 28.7 per cent year-on-year increase, on the back of statutory revenue of £28.7 billion, up 0.7 per cent. Shareholders will be paid a 3.2p interim dividend, up 21 per cent compared with last year, but can also expect to a share of a £5 billion payout after the sale of Tesco’s Asian arm completes at the end of the year. In March, the global chain sold off its Thai and Malaysian arm, consisting of about 2000 shops, for £8 billion. Following the sale, bosses promised to return £5 billion from the sale to shareholders – around 51p per share. Meanwhile, Tesco’s headline group sales were up by more than six per cent at £26.7 billion, with sales in its core UK and Ireland market rising 8.6 per cent to £24.3 billion. Meanwhile, group operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles decreased 15.8 per cent year-on-year to £1.03 billion. Tesco’s interim period covers the height of the Covid-19 lockdown when most shops were forced to close for about three months, except for “essential” retailers such as grocers. Tesco revealed a £533 million hit from coronavirus crisis costs but said this was offset by the business rates holiday during the first half of the year. It marks the first trading update as chief executive for Ken Murphy, who took over the reins at the UK’s biggest supermarket last week. The former Walgreens Boots Alliance executive said Tesco would continue to invest in providing value for its customers through uncertain times. “The first half of this year has tested our business in ways we had never imagined, and our colleagues have risen brilliantly to every challenge, acting in the best interests of our customers and local communities throughout,” he said. “I would like to thank all our colleagues for their amazing contribution and I am delighted and proud to be part of such an incredible team. “Tesco is a great business with many strategic advantages. I’m excited by the range of opportunities we have to use those advantages to create further value for our customers and, in doing so, create value for all of our other stakeholders.” Tesco also announced the appointment of Imran Nawaz as its new chief financial officer to replace Alan Stewart, who announced his resignation in June. Nawaz is currently a chief financial officer and executive director of Tate & Lyle and senior vice president of finance for Mondelēz Europe. He started his career with Deloitte and then with Philip Morris in corporate audit. He spent 16 years working at Mondelēz and Kraft Foods in a variety of roles gaining broad financial, business and international experience. “After an extensive search and selection process, I am delighted to welcome Imran to our board as CFO,” Tesco chairman John Allan said. “He brings a wealth of skills, experience and knowledge in the food sector and will be an incredibly valuable asset to Tesco.”
Aldi doubles the number of items available on Deliveroo
Aldi is more than doubling the number of items available for home delivery via the Deliveroo app, as it continues its push into ecommerce.
Aldi Ireland announced this week that 330 items will now be available for customers to have delivered to their door in 30 minutes by Deliveroo.
Previously Aldi’s Irish arm only offered 140 essential items to customers via the rapid delivery service, but its popularity among customers has encouraged the pair to expand their partnership.
In June Aldi expanded the number of products available for home Delivery in the UK from 150 to 200, but positive customer feedback across both markets suggests this could also soon be significantly expanded.
Last week Aldi also announced plans to invest a whopping £1.3 billion in to modernising its stores and distribution networks, crucially placing a major focus on its fledgling online offering.
“Increasing the number of products available through the app will make it easier for people to get much-needed groceries delivered right to their doors quickly and safely,” Aldi Group’s managing director said.
In Ireland, the pair have already expanded their reach from two stores in Dublin to three more counties, totalling nine stores.
Deliveroo’s vice president Ajay Lakhwani added: “It is great to see that customer satisfaction with the service is very high, and we look forward to working with Aldi in the future to ensure that people are getting the food they need and want during this difficult time.”
Black Friday 2020 could see 22% drop in sales
Black Friday 2020 could see sales drop by nearly a quarter as Amazon Prime Day creates a 10-week discount “mega peak”.
Amazon’s long delayed Prime Day, due to take place next week, will spark one of the longest and most competitive periods of discounting British retail has ever seen, according to a new report from Wunderman Thompson Commerce.
This discounting “mega peak” will extend through Black Friday, which could see spending fall by 22 per cent compared to last year.
The extended discounting means more competition for a far smaller chunk of consumer’s disposable income, which has been decimated by COVID-19.
While Black Friday will see overall sales decline, according to the research, 66 per cent of customers will shop online this year, leading to a total online spend of around £3.7 billion.
However ParcelHero has warned that this significant boost in online spend, which could be 50 per cent larger than last year, will cause chaos for delivery companies.
According to the home delivery expert, the increased number of families who will be separated this Christmas plus a skills shortage of delivery drivers brought on by Brexit could cause already overstretched delivery networks to fail.
“With capacity already stretched, the impact of Christmas can’t be underestimated,” ParcelHero’s head of consumer research David Jinks said.
“ParcelHero had its busiest day ever just last week and online pure-play Ocado has overtaken Tesco to become the UK’s most valuable retailer. This year’s home delivery growth is unprecedented for both parcels and groceries.”
“With many families unable to get together this Christmas, more people than usual will be sending presents to loved ones and ordering their gifts online. We anticipate Christmas volumes could be 50% higher than last year.”
Asda launches free drive-thru flu jabs
Asda has announced it will launch a drive-thru flu jab service for people at risk of catching coronavirus. The supermarket group will today begin offering flu jabs free of charge to anyone eligible for the treatment on the NHS, including elderly people, pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions and frontline health workers, including carers. Pharmacy branches in 13 Asda stores will offer the jabs to pregnant and elderly people from car parks across the UK. Asda said the service will allow people to be vaccinated without them coming into contact with the public. “The sad truth is that there is an increased mortality risk if you catch COVID-19 when you already have the flu,” said Asda pharmacist Maq Din. “As a result some of our most vulnerable members of society are at twice the risk compared to others, which is why we are encouraging everyone to get a flu jab this year; it is more vital now than ever,” Din added. Customers book a slot by completing Asda’s flu jab questionnaire, at which point they will be given a time slot and a parking bay to visit. The Asda stores offering the service are: Accrington, Bodmin, Eastbourne, Gosport, Hartlepool, Hyde, Nuneaton, Old Kent Road, Oldbury, Pilsworth, Sheffield, South Shields and Wakefield Durkar. “We are putting a number of measures in place at our drive-through flu jab centres, so patients can be assured that it is safe to visit – and they won’t even need to leave their car to get a jab,” Din added. “Contact time will be kept to a minimum in order to allow pharmacists to be as efficient as possible.”
Very Group touts return to profit as revenue tops £2bn for first time
The Very Group on Thursday revealed retail sales rose 10.5 per cent to £1.23 billion, driving group revenue growth of 2.9 per cent up to £2.05 billion. In its full year results for 2020, The Very Group (formerly known as Shop Direct) said that “despite unprecedented challenges, we’ve broken £2 billion revenue for the first time and returned to profit. It’s all down to our committed people and our resilient, adaptable business”. In the 52 weeks to June 30, Very.co.uk saw its customer numbers rise 14.1 per cent to 3.4 million, bringing its total group customers up by 10.6 per cent to 4.5 million. Profit before tax came in at £48 million and underlying EBITDA of £264 million, with the Littlewoods and Very.co.uk owner noting that Covid-19-related costs had been included in those results. Littlewoods continued to struggle throughout the 2020 financial year, although its revenue decline slowed by 8.8 per cent to £460.9 million, compared with an 11.3 per cent decline the year before. The group finished the year with a cash balance of over £200 million and net debt reducing by £144 million. “Despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, the business has proven its adaptability yet again,” said The Very Group chief executive Henry Birch. “We delivered for record levels of new customers, who used the Very app for items to entertain their families and improve their homes, and increasingly valued our flexible ways to spread the cost. “We prioritised the safety of our colleagues, whilst remaining focused on customer experience. We migrated to, tested and launched Skygate, our new automated fulfilment centre, which enables us to process customer orders within 30 minutes, whilst materially reducing costs and is all set to support our Q2 peak trading period,” Birch added. “The economic landscape will remain unpredictable. However, we believe our flexible and resilient business model, which gives customers access to the brands they love via flexible ways to pay, will help us thrive as customers continue to rely on online shopping. Our purpose, ‘to make good things easily accessible to more people’, has never been more relevant,” said Birch of the months ahead. As part of its full year trading announcement on Thursday, The Very Group announced that its chief technology officer Andy Burton would be leaving in February 2021, to take on a new role in a different sector. The group said a search is now underway to find a successor to Burton.
Zalando expands sustainability offering thanks to growing demand
Zalando has boosted its sustainability plans after witnessing a growth in demand for eco-friendly products. The online fashion retailer has expanded its sustainable offering from 27,000 to 60,000 items as the number of active customers shopping for such products doubled to 40 per cent since January of this year. Zalando also launched its own capsule collection ‘redeZIGN for Circularity’, which is designed to be reused or recycled. The collection consists of five pieces as a test for Zalando’s private label Zign. The retailer debuted its pre-owned category in September, allowing customers to buy and trade their unwanted and pre-owned items. Customers can also now shop for sustainable beauty products as Zalando has introduced a flag for the category labelling organic, natural, less packaging, forest-friendly, or biodegradable products. The initiatives are part of Zalando’s do.MORE sustainability strategy which was announced a year ago. “We have seen extraordinary growth in customer demand for more sustainable fashion since the beginning of the year,” Zalando co-chief executive Rubin Ritter said. “According to a recent internal survey, 34 per cent of our customers said that in light of the coronavirus pandemic, sustainability has become more important to them. “With this major shift in mindset, there is a demand and momentum for change, and a need for the fashion industry to transform. “Together with our partners, we want to be the engine for this change and enable our customers to make more sustainable choices even more easily.”
Which? names Waitrose supermarket of the year
Waitrose has been awarded the “supermarket of the year” title by consumer group Which?, beating competition from shortlisted rivals Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Iceland. The upmarket grocer was recognised for its handling of trade during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially during the panic-buying frenzy that took place in March. Which? said Waitrose provided customers with a “range of ways to shop” and said it handled the surge in demand during the pandemic really well, especially during lockdown.