Forum Topic

Whither Waitrose Putney.

Am I alone in thinking Waitrose in the Exchange seems to be much quieter since Lidl opened? I thought business would pick up again after a few weeks but it now seems dangerously quiet almost all day, every day. As Waitrose is clearly the anchor tenant it's loss would probably see the departure of many other tenants also. Clearly a very difficult 2022 ahead.

Timothy Horgan ● 1213d17 Comments

The Exchange is not helping Waitrose either as they don't admit people 10 minutes before closing time. On Saturday I arrived just as security started to lock the door but they wouldn't let me in. There were 5 other people also trying to get in but we were not allowed. I am sure Waitrose would have liked to have had those customers.

Mark Ramsdale ● 1210d

Is Plough Lane, Lidl been re opened only a couple of weeks ago we went there and it had been closed for a refurb.  The only reason I don't like Putney Lidl, I went in there once for the first time, asked for a small basket to balance on my trolley, they didn't have any, so I had to pull one of their trolleys and mine. I only wanted a few items. When I got to the till, there was one young man there, so as I went and put the few items on the counter and he said I'm shutting my till, go to self checkout. So I left my items on the counter and walked out.

Barbara Stevens ● 1211d

There is a general theme on this thread of 'use it or lose it'. Which is true. If Putney residents prefer to drive to Sheen and Plough lane, then in future, Putney residents may have, of course, the only choice of driving to Sheen and Plough lane.

Bill Christie ● 1211d

Waitrose have a long time left on lease . Therefore I cannot see them departing anytime soon.Blackrock have dropped the rents significantly in the Exchange in order to attract new retailers. The Works and Card Factory whilst not the most exciting are very popular retailers. Wilkos is a very handy convenience lead shop. Gap have left two large vacancies but they’ve excited Uk completely. Not a Putney issue. Sports direct have opened.Some excellent independents Lacy Road Oliver Bonas has been a good addition and then you have a number of independent retailers inside inclusion Ben and Lola, Farrago, Huttons.  I don’t really see what more they can do. I have no involvement with the landlords so this is my impartial view in a difficult market. It’s a pleasant place to shop for families that’s for sure.

Nick Gulliford ● 1212d

I've alwsys found it very useful to be able to buy John Lewis items online and then collect them from a local Waitrose very useful (Click and Collect).

Philippa Bond ● 1212d

Mark: not "far bigger". The thing is that Putney Waitrose layout is a weird star-shape. I notice the staff often have to scratch their heads when asked about the location of some items. No such problem at Sheen.

Alexander MacLeod ● 1212d

Mark: not "far bigger". The thing is that Putney Waitrose layout is a weird star-shape. I notice the staff often have to scratch their heads when asked about the location of some items. No such problem at Sheen.

Alexander MacLeod ● 1213d

I still do a waitrose who but I will drive to Lidl in Plough Lane and maybe pop into the M&S Southfields on the way back.  To be honest I mainly shop at a mix of stores depending on the offers I need.

Maxine Campbell ● 1213d

Surely Sheen Waitrose is far bigger than the Putney one? Likewise Lidl Putney is smaller than Clapham Junction, so of course the range is smaller?

Mark Phillips ● 1213d

I’m an older woman with no car enjoy shopping at Waitrose find  layout easy and products generally very good quality and staff helpful. I would really hate it to close.  I don’t shop at Lidl as Putney store is too crowded. The store most affected is Sainsbury hardly anyone there even at weekend so it’s a great if you’re in a hurry.  The Exchange and high street are very depleted but unless we start shopping and supporting local it will continue to deteriorate.

Christine Bryan ● 1213d

We used to use Waitrose exclusively, then they blocked the side entrance and I was physically unable to manage the weight of groceries shopping on foot or bicycle.  I've not used the Exchange since.  You can multiply me by a lot of older residents living that side of Putney.Lidl is very crowded and cramped, the one at plough lane is roomy. Now I've returned to Sainsbury s after many years away.

Jenny Featherstone ● 1213d

I use Waitrose in the Exchange frequently. They have stopped doing home deliveries as I've been told they need to buy a new van! That would deter many people from shopping there. I find the checkout staff friendly and helpful, though shelves are rarely as well stocked as they could be. I do like the wines they stock and find them good value.Lidl caters for a different market I think. I only visited once but it didn't have the range of things I wanted to buy.I like the Exchange and find it a pleasant place to shop.

Katrina Black ● 1213d

It is a shame.  The exchange is great for parents with young kids to get them out for a walk on a wet day!The toyshop upstairs is amazing too.  Often cheaper than amazon.  We need to use it or lose it.

Alan Sherman ● 1213d

The entire Putney Exchange is in a death spiral.I have heard that Blackrock are happy to leave numerous sites empty, rather than agree short term rents, and get new  businesses back. Waitrose are suffering from lower footfall generally as it is a miserable experience entering the Exchange.. Blackrock not bothered about waitrose or the Putney Community.

Penelope Becker ● 1213d

I am one who uses the Putney Waitrose very little, although the main reason is that I have never liked its layout. Compared with Sheen Waitrose its range of products also seems narrower. Lidl disappointed me at first visit. Seemed less attractive than Clapham Junction in its range of products. Haven't been back since it opened. Putney has never recovered from the loss of M&S.

Alexander MacLeod ● 1213d

Good point - but people going online may also switch to M & S etc. Lidl seems to have pretty steady footfall so the combination of Lidl and online competition must be presenting a huge challenge to management at Waitrose

Timothy Horgan ● 1213d

Is Lidl very busy these days? Could it be that during the pandemic people have switched to having their groceries delivered? Is it also possible that those who shopped at Waitrose are more likely to continue using online shopping devices now they've got used to them?

Michael Ixer ● 1213d