Find out how we're responding to Covid-19 in our stores and online | Ways to shop online | Coronavirus FAQs | Shop safely in store
In store
To find out how we're keeping you and our Partners safe, visit our Shop Safely & Simply page.
Yes, Waitrose shops are open as usual. We’re continuing to manage the number of customers in our stores to help you keep a safe distance from others while you’re shopping. We know this can sometimes cause queues – so it’s a good idea to try shopping earlier or later in the day, when it tends to be quieter.
We have also put in place some additional measures to help our shops meet the needs of our customers, particularly the disabled, elderly and vulnerable, at this time. Our disabled, elderly and vulnerable customers are prioritised whenever there’s a queue outside one of our shops – and we’ll continue to prioritise NHS workers and carers, too.
We have a number of measures to help protect both our customers and our Partners.
These are:
Dedicated marshals per store to help manage queues, reminding customers to keep a safe distance.
Floor markers in all shops to help customers observe social distancing
Hand sanitiser stations at the entrances of all Waitrose shops.
Screens have been placed at the checkouts to protect customers and Partners.
We are asking that only one customer or family occupy a lift at any one time.
We’re asking customers to help us manage the number of people in our shops, by sending only one member of the household to do their shopping, if they possibly can. While this won’t be possible for everybody, we are very grateful for our customers’ support during this time of uncertainty.
We are encouraging our customers to shop in a cashless and contactless way to prevent unnecessary contact.
To find out more, please click here.
Yes, we’re asking customers to wear a face covering while shopping with us. All customers, apart from children under the required age and those with certain health conditions who are exempt, should wear a face covering.
Our marshals at the entrance of our shops will have disposable masks available if you do not have your own. Please remember that not all disabilities are visible, so please be understanding of other shoppers who may not be able to follow this rule.
In our stores, we prioritise our disabled, elderly and vulnerable customers whenever there’s a queue outside one of our shops – and we’ll continue to prioritise NHS workers and carers on production of suitable ID, too.
We have a dedicated e-gift card for customers who are unable to get to the shops themselves, and want to organise a simple, safe and contact-free payment for groceries delivered by friends, neighbours, family members or volunteers. The gift card can be purchased online at johnlewisgiftcard.com, and can then be emailed directly to friends, neighbours, family members or volunteers for them to use in our shops. Customers can purchase e-gift cards in £10 denominations up to £500.
When Government Shielding Advice is in effect, we prioritised disabled, elderly and vulnerable customers wherever possible with online shopping slots throughout the pandemic.
We have a dedicated e-gift card for customers who are unable to get to the shops themselves and want to organise a simple, safe and contact-free payment for groceries delivered by friends, neighbours, family members or volunteers. The gift card can be purchased online at www.johnlewisgiftcard.com, and can then be emailed directly to friends, neighbours, family members or volunteers for them to use in our shops. Customers can purchase e-gift cards in £10 denominations up to £500.
The limit on contactless payment cards has also been raised to £45.
We have taken the decision to temporarily suspend some of our hospitality services. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.
As such, the following remain temporarily closed:
- Self-serve coffee machines
- Cafés
- Cookery Schools
- Bakery grazing areas, wine bars, and the Steak & Oyster Bar at Canary Wharf
We have robust hygiene procedures in place and are providing regular updates to our Partners to ensure they have appropriate advice. All equipment in store, such as self-service scanners, payment terminal, trolley handles and tills are cleaned daily and at every available opportunity. Hand sanitising wipes have also been provided for our Partners who do not always have easy access to hand-washing facilities, including our checkout and welcome desk staff as well as delivery drivers. We also have protective screens at checkouts.