Waitrose recently experienced a significant tech glitch, impacting numerous online orders. This unforeseen disruption left many customers frustrated as their orders were unexpectedly cancelled just before delivery.
- The glitch affected a large volume of orders, with customers taking to social media to voice their grievances.
- Waitrose confirmed the incident was unrelated to previous IT problems that led to empty shelves.
- The supermarket has apologised and offered affected customers a goodwill gesture.
- Recent price cuts by Waitrose aim to bolster competition against budget rivals amidst economic challenges.
Waitrose, a notable British supermarket chain, encountered a major technical issue that led to the cancellation of a substantial number of online orders. This incident occurred abruptly, mere minutes before the scheduled delivery times, causing significant inconvenience to many shoppers. Multiple customers expressed their dissatisfaction on social media platforms, highlighting the unexpected nature of the cancellations and the absence of immediate explanations from the company.
In response to the widespread discontent shared online, Waitrose acknowledged the issue, stating that a ‘large volume’ of orders had indeed been affected by the glitch. The supermarket was quick to clarify that this particular problem bore no connection to another IT malfunction from earlier in the year, which had resulted in empty shelves across various stores.
Waitrose has expressed regret over the disruption caused to its customers, issuing an apology and announcing plans to offer a goodwill gesture to those impacted. This technical mishap surfaces as the company attempts to compete more aggressively with discounters like Aldi and Lidl. These rivals have seen their market share grow as consumers increasingly turn to them for more affordable options during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
As part of its strategy to retain and attract customers, Waitrose revealed earlier this year that it had invested £100 million into lowering prices on numerous products, reducing nearly a quarter of them by up to 20%. This aggressive pricing strategy underscores the competitive pressures facing traditional supermarkets amidst shifting consumer preferences.
Despite the setbacks, Waitrose remains committed to overcoming technical challenges whilst striving to enhance its competitive positioning through strategic pricing initiatives.
