Forum Topic

the nominations for Putney's worst supermarket are...

...Sainsburys, just Sainburys. What a poorly run supermarket, self service tills out of action or card only, there is always litter about, spills take ages to be cleared, leaking cool cabinets, stock trolleys blocking the aisles, often no baskets by the entrance, poor stock control, etc., it desperately needs new management in my opinion

Adam Tripp ● 2468d23 Comments

I agree, Adam, if you are talking about the one in Werter Rd.  It’s getting worse, in my opinion.  

Martine Guy ● 2468d

Agree it’s not great but what if it was going to close?

Ben Rainbow ● 2468d

Sainsburys had been my favourite supermarket for years, wherever it is.  But the standards have dropped, the big one in Richmond is not anything like as good as it was before it was expanded and the one in Werter Rd is very hit and miss.  It's where I do my grocery shopping, but you never really know how well the shelves will be stocked.  The staff are lovely though AND free parking!

Bunny Payne ● 2467d

By the way, I applaud their stance on banning plastic bags completely.  Last year I spoke to a young man working there and said what a great idea it was to have the net bags now for veg.  He said I was probably the only one, as he had lots of complaints from customers that the bags cost 15/25p (I forget which).  But once you've built up a stock of 5 or so it's so simple (and learned to remember to bring them with you!).  They are durable, washable and an EXCELLENT idea, so well done Sainsbury.

Bunny Payne ● 2467d

Only do a small shop what I need in the week, but go to Sainsbury's Fulham, Townmead Rd, at the weekend. You can park easily under cover. Also a cafe and clothes.

Barbara Stevens ● 2467d

The lift is now working, but the long, long delay before it was fixed told you a lot about the level of management. One area where "hit or miss" prevails is the bread section. There seems to  be no consistency about when specialist loaves are - or are not - available. The fact that the tobacco counter is again available for a few ordinary purchases is welcome, but it took a lot of pressure to achieve that. Maybe steady pressure is the key. Management, which is almost never visible, needs to be kept on the mark. This Forum can be helpful on that. Also, complaints to Head Office seem to work - if there are enough of them.

Alexander MacLeod ● 2467d

I agree, Alexander.  They have stopped selling the bread I like.  They only used to sell a few loaves anyway and I now have to buy it from Waitrose.  Same with the milk I want, yet they stock it in Sainsbury’s Local on URR by the Methodist Church.  This smaller Sainsbury’s is well stocked and better managed, imo.

Martine Guy ● 2467d

Yes. Please bring back Vogel's Bread!

Caroline Whitehead ● 2467d

Caroline, when I complained about Cranks wholemeal bread no longer being stocked, I am sure they said it was to make way for Vogels.  The bread shelves are often half empty, but they also said they didn’t have room for the 5 or 6 Cranks loaves that they used to stock.

Martine Guy ● 2467d

Obviously none of you goes as far as Putney Vale, try Asda if you do, use the pedestrian entrance the most filthiest walk in to any supermarket I know, the staff are among the rudest the shelves are normally half empty as most of the stock is sitting at the check out in trolleys, the place needs a total re vamp, Google Asda Roehampton Vale and look at the customer feedback then go to Sainsbury's Putney, no comparison.

Fross Walters ● 2466d

Fross I agree with that.  I have actually walked out some years ago, I just couldn't stand the whole ambience of the place (I may have had a hangover).  It sells so much but I find it too huge and confusing.But they have a great car valeting service on the top floor of the car park!!

Bunny Payne ● 2465d

Agree with this a well. The Sainsbury is not great, but it's not terrible, and the comment about the tills not working is strange, I never had any issues. If anything it's missing a good range of offers, and never has any interesting ones on short used by date products.

Marc Blanchard ● 2462d

I agree with a previous correspondent: for my big shops, the Fulham Sainsbury's takes some beating, even if you do land up feeling guilty having taken the car to get there and back

James Dixon ● 2462d

I like Sainsbury’s the staff are helpful, selection is good, love their sour dough bread, choice of wines great and about half the price of Waitrose where staff are abrupt, if you can find any.  Enough shops are closing I really don’t want this going the same way.

Christine Bryan ● 2461d

Speak as you find but I regard the staff in Waitrose (both in the Arcade and more particularly in East Putney) excellent. I shop in the East Putney Waitrose several times a week so doubt it can be luck on my part.

Leslie McDonnell ● 2461d

Absolutely agree with all the criticism on Sainsburys, Werter Road.  Most of the staff there are extremely helpful and friendly and one reason why I still go there occasionally.  However, one or two on the Customer Service desk clearly don`t understand that customers should be pretty important to them and really don`t like dealing with the consequences of their errors (eg mispricing, till issues, nectar issues, rotten food, passed sell by dates etc).IMO, the appalling state and steady decline (over past 4 years or so) is undoubtedly down to a shocking succession of Managers who, I know first hand, have no interest in complaints of any nature no matter how `clear and proveable` they are.  Such indifferent attitude just does not work in a local community nor in a business that requires quality, trust and high turnover.After some 30+ years of shopping there, I finally voted with my feet and now regularly shop elsewhere.  I also feel sorry for the people with pensions invested in Sainsburys as the wider `market` clearly recognises that they are a bit of a shambles and have marked them down for years.

Roscow Lucas ● 2455d

Hmmmm.  I left Putney 12 months ago after 34 years.  So therefore, as a new outsider, I am wondering why you want "nominations" for Putney's worst supermarket.  How many are there?  Waitrose, Sainsbury, a tiny Tesco on the High Street and various small format stores on the periphery.  I agree that, even before I moved out, Sainsbury's was deteriorating and requires a proverbial kick to get it back to where it needs to be.  But if the Werter Road Sainsbury's is so bad it closes, what will be the result?  A triumphant Waitrose - able to demand highter prices - and a still down-at-heel Tesco that serves no one.  So surely, please complain to Werter Road Sainsbury's; and please complain ABOUT it (to Sainsbury's head office and not just on this forum) so that Putney still has a Sainsbury's.  Does anyone know for certain that an empty Werter Road site will attract Aldi or Lidl, especially when the latter hasn't yet committed to the ex-Halfords location?

Helen Passey ● 2454d

I agree. What is with this 'no cash back' ? when I asked for cash back I was told to use the ATM outside.  However being disabled with a walking stick and having been the victim of an attempt to rob me at another ATM in Putney I am uncomfortable using ATMS. I left my shopping and went to Waitrose. They do need a new manager.

Ellen Ley ● 2454d

Hi Helen, "nominations" was simply because it was Oscars time, just a fun reference. With regard to Sainsburys, I reported the terrible road repair to our Thamesfield councillors. Rosemary Torrington has kindly investigated and replied to me on the 19th as follows:"An update below from the highways team - I have asked to be updated. I can advise that an inspection was carried out yesterday and I understand that the poor reinstatement as described by Mr Tipp was completed by Thames Water. The inspector, Mr Williams has contacted Thames Water and they are required to rectify within 21 days, however Mr Williams will monitor this repair and should it deteriorate further within the 21 day period will escalate again with Thames Water."The road repair is a significant issue for anyone old or with poor sight, how the local Sainsbury management can just ignore it is simply mind-boggling.

Adam Tripp ● 2454d

Meanwhile Waitrose have been awarded best supermarket by Which...and rightly so.1. Waitrose2. M&S3. Aldi4. Lidl5. Morrisons6. Sainsbury7. Tesco8. Iceland9. Asda

Simon Knight ● 2454d

I agree with Christine. Are we the only people on this forum who find Sainsbury's meets our needs? And the staff are always helpful, to me at least.I no longer have a car, and the Werter Rd store is near the bus stop, and a taxi rank is beside it if you can't manage to stagger from the bus stop to your home at the other end.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2454d

I agree with Simon. I am a Waitrose fan.

Leslie McDonnell ● 2453d

I agree with Helen Passey. Sainsbury's may look extremely sad and we should complain to Head Office. The staff are absolutely fantastic!As the choice of supermarkets in Putney is limited to say the least, we should defend the little that is there!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2453d