A report on consumer perceptions of the UK's major supermarkets has named Waitrose as the country's favourite food retailer, with Tesco languishing in eighth place just above discounters Lidl and Aldi.
According to the report, which was based on a survey of consumers by the Can I Eat It? website, Tesco achieved a total score of just six out of ten when assessed on its perceived value for money and its overall shopping experience in store.
Professional food and drink taster Martin Isark, who runs the website, told the Daily Mail: "Tesco, like Asda, has not done badly, they have just not improved as much as the supermarkets above them."
He added: "Their aisle staff's product knowledge is not as good as it could be. Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's lead the way."
Waitrose, meanwhile, scored 9.5 out of ten, followed by independent online retailer Ocado.
Marks & Spencer, in third place, seemed to lead the way on fresh produce, with its sizeable pre-packed offer deemed worthy of particular note.
"M&S’s pre-packed fruit & vegetables are as good as you’ll find on any greengrocer’s shelf," Isark commented.
Behind Sainsbury's in fourth and The Co-operative in fifth, Morrisons was described as "a must-try for foodies" thanks to its "wonderful range of weird fruit & vegetables" in certain stores.
Consumers responding to the survey rated Lidl and Tesco as less consistent than Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury’s and The Co-operative on fruit and vegetables, while the quality of Aldi and Lidl's fresh produce offer was described as "variable".
