Morrisons VS Holland & Barrett: Who’s Treating Customers Better?

Lately, both Morrisons and Holland & Barrett have reported a number of positive actions that they are taking right now to treat customers and/or employees better. Here’s a quick look at who’s doing what from recent news – allowing you, the marketer – to decide which brand is better catering to both customers and staff.

Morrisons

The fourth-largest chain of supermarkets in the U.K is offering customers a wide range of products to shop for with convenient home delivery methods.

According to a recent article in Sunderland Echo, the new supermarket at Dalton Park Outlet created 300+ jobs.

The store also plans on creating an atmosphere of staff working together as a family. Morrisons’ new store manager, Jen Weston, says, “this can only benefit the customers.” They did not specify how, exactly, this would be achieved.

Morrisons also recently announced their special discounts offer for key workers who have been fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year. Emergency service workers, social care workers, armed forces members, and more are entitled to receive a 10% discount when shopping with their Blue Light Card.

The special discount has been created to thank the listed employees above for their hard work, dedication, and support. “We are thrilled to partner with Morrisons in saying thank you to those who have been working on the front line during these difficult few months,” said Blue Light Card, CEO Tom Dalby.

“Morrisons is a well-loved fresh food brand for many, and offering a Blue Light Card discount will make a huge difference to our members. I hope that this partnership will make the Christmas food shop that little bit easier for those who go the furthest for us.”

Finally, take a look at how Morrisons is making customers feel “extra special” with their new Christmas ad:

Holland & Barrett

No more waiting till the end of the month to receive your paycheck! As mentioned in the health and wellness brand analysis in PostFunnel’s 7 CRM commandments series, Holland & Barrett launched a new pay scheme where employees are eligible to receive access to their wages whenever they need them.

“At Holland & Barrett, we believe in the importance of making wellness accessible to all, and this includes focussing on the impact of financial stability on our colleagues’ mental health,” Holland & Barrett head of pay Tricia Foster said.

As a retailer who strongly supports sustainability, Holland & Barrett is also rolling out a new initiative to eliminate food waste. The retailer aims to sell approximately 370K items a year that have past their expiration date, at significantly lower prices. Provided the products remain of appropriate quality and can maintain a long shelf-life, like lentils, nuts, and honey – customers shouldn’t have a problem consuming them beyond their best before date.

“It is estimated that the U.K. generates 41.1 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste each year, with landfill being the second most used waste treatment in the U.K.,” said the head of retail operations at Holland & Barrett, Ryan Lander.

“It’s really a win-win as it helps customers save money and goes a little way to helping save our planet at the same time.”

Oh, and just because we’re writing this during the most epic Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend – we entered both of their websites and couldn’t help but notice H&B offering this:

So, both retailers are going above and beyond to cater to their customers (and employees) at times of need. While we leave it for you to decide which strategy you like more, we’ll just sit this one out and give praise to both.