100-year-old Asda Hulme customer says she wouldn't shop anywhere else

At the grand age of 100, Jadwiga Deputch is Asda Hulme's oldest customer – shopping independently in the supermarket at least twice a week for the past 28 years since it first opened.

She's treated like part of the family by Asda colleagues and when they found out it was her special birthday they presented her with gifts, a card and even paid for her shopping.

Jadwiga, who moved to Manchester from her native Poland in 1947, uses a four-wheel push-along trolley to help her get to the store from her home in nearby Moss Side.

She said: "I've been coming to the store since it first opened and I come here twice if not three times a week. I like coming here very, very much. It's a good store and everyone is so kind, friendly and polite. They are so helpful. Sometimes I do need help and they help me. Asda is my favourite shop; I wouldn't go anywhere else. I love my yoghurt as I like to eat healthily.

"I come to the store often so I don't have to carry so much each time. I get everything I need here. I don't live that far away, it's about about ten minutes walk."

Jadwiga has a soft spot for our 60-year-old colleague Afaf Idries and always goes to her checkout when she's working. She said: "Afaf's a lovely lady, who always has a smile on her face. She got me some presents when it was my birthday and I was crying. It was beautiful."

Afaf, who has worked at the store for 25 years, said: "Jadwiga is such a lovely lady and we always have a good chat when she comes to my till. She's always telling me what's going on in her life. She told me she was going to be 100 so I told her to come to my till when it was her birthday. I got her chocolate, skin care, flowers and a badge. I could see a tear when I gave it to her. She was so happy and gave me a big hug. I love her."

Asda Hulme customer manager Lisa Carey said: "Jadwiga is such a lovely lady and looks amazing for her age. She's our oldest customer here. She's a special lady so we got her an Asda gift voucher, flowers and paid for her shopping too."

Jadwiga, who did office work before she retired, met her late husband Dominic soon after arriving in Manchester and they have three daughters, three grandsons, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.

Jadwiga's story has been making headlines, with the Manchester Evening News posting about her on Facebook and X.

Their Facebook post has had more than 10,000 likes, loves, comments and shares.

Comments included:

• This story shows that a supermarket isn't just a place to shop, but above all, it's about people and connections. What a beautiful friendship between Jadwiga and Afaf. In a world that moves so fast, such gestures and selfless kindness truly restore faith in humanity. Wishing Jadwiga many more years of health and happiness! ❤️🇵🇱🇬🇧”

• “My local store. I agree that the staff are 100% lovely. I hope that Jadwiga has wonderful birthday celebrations xxxx”

• “That's what community is about XX”

• "Happy birthday 🎂 and well done to the staff for making it so special 💖"

• "A century of life, memories, family, and friendships. What a beautiful way to celebrate such an incredible milestone. Happy birthday, Jadwiga! ❤🎉"

• "How lovely. Kindness costs nothing but can mean a lot to elderly people"

• "This lady lives round the corner from me and I often see her out and about. I had no idea she was 100 as she looks much younger! Happy birthday!"

• That's absolutely lovely! This is the sort of thing that makes this country great, people from different cultures coming together and being kind. Love to see it! 😊”

And Asda’s own Facebook post about Jadwiga and the colleagues from Asda Hulme has had more than 12,000 likes, loves, comments and shares.

Example comments:

• “The best, amazing staff in this store kind, caring, courteous.”

• “I love this!! Happy Birthday Jadwiga 🥳🎂🎉 and love to see Afaf doing her thing ❤️”

• “Aww that's so lovely and you can see by her little face she was very touched. Well done to the Asda staff they are all superstars!!⭐”

• “I love to see stories like this. With all that's going on in the world today, this really gladdens the heart, right folks? Happy birthday, Jadwiga. I hope you had an enjoyable day and well done, ASDA and Afaf for making Jadwiga's day memorable.”

• “I love these stories about asda colleagues and the help and the lovely things they do for the their customers. It's a pity more big supermarkets aren't like Asda. Well done to all.x”

• “What a lovely post . How wonderful on these mean spirited times to see people taking the time to make someone's day special .”

• “Fabulous that Asda are so lovely and celebrated with such kindness, happy special birthday dear lady. 🌟💗⚘️🌿”

• “What a lovely thing to do. Asda staff are so good.”

• “Happy 100th birthday jadwiga, hope you have a wonderful day.Thank you to Asda and staff for making it extra special for you.🎂🎉🎁❤️x”

• “Happy birthday! What a lovely thing to do. I love Asda x”

• “Belated Greetings , you look so young, I like shopping at Asda too.💛🧡🩷🎉🍰”