Waitrose has unveiled its strategy to expand its footprint, revealing plans to launch up to 100 convenience stores across the UK in the next five years. This initiative is part of a significant £1 billion investment in the supermarket chain. The first of these new shops is slated to open in Hampton Hill, London, later this year, with additional locations planned in the capital and throughout the country. The substantial investment will not only facilitate the opening of new stores but also focus on enhancing 150 existing ones, which represent almost half of Waitrose’s entire network.
James Bailey, executive director of Waitrose, expressed the company’s commitment to providing exceptional food quality while emphasising recent behind-the-scenes groundwork that enables a focus on growth through new stores and enhancing the existing customer shopping experience. As a British supermarket chain within the John Lewis Partnership, an employee-owned firm, Waitrose offers both physical retail outlets and online shopping services. Many Waitrose stores feature additional amenities such as delicatessens, cafes, wine shops, and bakeries.
Originating in 1904, Waitrose began as a small grocery store named “Waite, Rose & Taylor” in Acton, West London, founded by Wallace Waite, Arthur Rose, and David Taylor. Following Taylor’s departure in 1908, the business was rebranded as “Waitrose,” marking the start of its expansion. The acquisition by the John Lewis Partnership in 1937 further solidified Waitrose’s position in the retail sector.
The announcement from Waitrose aligns with its long-standing reputation for quality and customer service, signalling a positive trajectory for the supermarket chain’s growth and continued success.