There were low scores all round this week, with Sainsbury’s just ­managing first place with a score of 64. At the Heyford Hill branch, the entrance was “bright and ­spacious” but fruit and veg was running low on stock. Staff were scarce, which led to a “frustrating” experience when help was needed.

Tesco and Waitrose tied at 63. The refurb at the Tesco Gatwick Extra impressed, with an in-store bakery room, coffee shop, travel agent and more. Fruit and veg displays also couldn’t be faulted but stock levels “dwindled” elsewhere, with a number of gaps on shelves. Service wasn’t up to scratch and there was a queue at the checkout.

Trolleys were in parking spaces instead of the designated shelters at Waitrose Willerby and a couple of restocking trolleys got in the way in the chilled aisle. Stock was low, which led to the worst availability score, but staff were “extremely polite and helpful”.

The Asda Long Eaton store had “a complicated layout” and was “dark”. Some items were in the wrong places but staff assisted well. There was a three-minute queue at the checkout.

Despite gaining the highest points for availability this week the car park at Morrisons Canterbury was exceptionally busy, with queues to get in and out. In store it was clean but a restocking trolley caused an obstruction. There were no Dr Oetker pizzas on the shelf so Colin checked and confirmed they would be in the following day. Other staff weren’t so helpful and the checkout assistant neither apologised for the lengthy queue, said hello or offered to help with packing.

Topics