Waitrose trials free decaf hot drinks amid customer backlash

Waitrose will offer customers decaffeinated options for its free hot drinks, following a backlash over the lack of availability.

The supermarket offers a tea or coffee with any purchase to customers signed up to its “MyWaitrose” loyalty scheme.

Shoppers need to bring a reusable cup for their free drink, which can be redeemed from self-service machines within branches.

But some have criticised the lack of free decaffeinated options as “unfair” to people who cannot consume caffeine, including migraine sufferers and those with heart conditions.

The Telegraph understands that the supermarket will trial decaffeinated options in four stores for six months. Shoppers can already pay for decaffeinated drinks in any Waitrose cafe.

Health issues

One customer, Star Khechara, said that she could not tolerate caffeine as a result of her ADHD.

She said: “Waitrose is sophisticated enough to have a decent selection for its discerning clientele, surely. Lots of people avoid caffeine these days so Waitrose needs to make this offer fair for everyone.”

Florence Achery, who is intolerant to caffeine and experiences heart palpitations if she drinks it, welcomed the trial, saying: “Even though I have been a Waitrose customer since they introduced the ‘free hot drink’, I have never been able to enjoy the privilege.”

She added: “Personally I am waiting for the day they introduce vegan hot chocolate.”

Those with heart conditions, including postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), are often told to reduce their caffeine consumption. Migraine sufferers also restrict their intake, as it can trigger episodes.

‘One’s too many’

Debbie Shipley, head of information and support at the Migraine Trust, a charity, said: “For certain people, just one cup of caffeinated tea or coffee may be enough to trigger an attack, while other people may need several coffees before they experience migraine symptoms.”

Older people may also want to limit their intake. A recent study found that the number of accidents in care homes fell by 35 per cent after caffeine was cut out from residents’ drinks.

A Waitrose spokesman said: “Our loyalty scheme is loved by millions of customers, and hot drinks are just one of the many perks.

“We’re currently trialling free decaf coffee for myWaitrose customers in select shops, and customers can buy decaffeinated drinks from Waitrose cafes.”