Waitrose announces new UK stores with a major difference | UK | News
Waitrose has introduced a new type of store it will open in the UK. The supermarket giant currently operates two main types of stores in Britain: large supermarkets and multiple Little Waitrose locations. But the new concept will bridge the gap between the two existing store formats, and dozens of new stores are expected to open across the country. The British grocer is currently the eighth largest supermarket in the UK in terms of market share and turnover.
Waitrose has confirmed it will open dozens of mid-sized ‘neighborhood’ stores that will target suburban areas and high-traffic suburban towns. These stores are expected to span approximately 7,000 square meters and stock approximately 6,500 products. Unlike Little Waitrose convenience stores across the country, these stores will feature larger bakeries and a wider range of baking supplies, with a focus on fresh food.
Each is also expected to have approximately 50 parking spaces. Waitrose says it plans to open 20 of these stores.
Waitrose retail manager Tina Mitchell said the supermarket chain was looking for “right size, right location” sites with high footfall across the country. Waitrose reportedly competes with M&S with such stores, M&S has over 1,000 stores across the UK and continues to rapidly open more stores.
Some of Waitrose’s mid-market stores have already opened in places such as Leatherhead and Oxted in Surrey, Bromsgrove, Knutsford and Jesmond in Newcastle. Meanwhile, the latest opening at Chelmer Village Retail Park in Essex covers 7,000 square meters and stocks more than 6,500 products.
Richard Upton, Waitrose Chelmer Village branch manager, said: “We wanted to expand Waitrose in Essex and bring our fantastic quality produce to more foodies in the region.”
The new neighborhood stores form part of the chain’s £1bn multi-year investment programme. This includes renovations and new openings, as well as other improvements to its property.
Earlier this year, Waitrose announced it was cutting prices on essential food items. In May it announced it would invest more than £20 million in lower prices, cutting costs on more than 160 own-brand products by an average of 12%.
