Fashionable Brompton Road in Knightsbidge, London is home to two convenience stores which are constantly competing for business. Little Waitrose and Sanisbury's Local are located side by side, across the road from Harrods.
Both stores are of similar size, approximately 3,000 square feet, and both are competing for similar clients, but there the similarities end.
The amiable manager of the brighter and cleaner Little Waitrose says that their best selling line is Evian water, followed closely by vintage Dom Perignon Champagne. So much so that the Champagne is currently out of stock, such is the popularity of the product with their mainly middle-eastern European and Russian clientele. Little Waitrose stocks 12 different Champagne brands for its customers to choose from.
On the other hand, Sainsbury's Local has a much more limited Champagne selection, with their best seller being Veuve Clicquot Champagne, which retails at £37.25. However, the store itself is darker, not as well thought out as the neighboring Little Waitrose, and is showing signs of age.
Based on a sample of one, we would give Little Waitrose a 9/10 and Sainsbury's Local a disappointing 5/10.
Mark Price, the managing director of Waitrose, is known for being a bit of a bon vivant and we're sure he's not averse to a glass or two of Champagne. While he may be annoyed that the vintage is out of stock, he will no doubt be delighted to see his store selling Dom Perignon in such volume.
