Waitrose explores newer store formats for better customer choice and flexibility

Underpinned by a £1bn investment plan across its shops, online offer, on-demand grocery and travel retail, the retailer is aiming to give customers more choice over “how, when and where” they shop.

In 2024, it opened its first store in six years, and the current rollout is the first sustained estate growth in around a decade. It will focus on localised multi-formats and size, layout and ranges will match regional demand.

The newest concept in the store strategy is a “neighbourhood” format in Chelmer Village, Essex. It is designed to bridge the gap between a convenience store and a full-line supermarket.

Also designed for busy, suburban neighbourhoods, these mid-size stores offer fast, easy shopping with an intuitive layout stocking over 6,500 products.

As part of its £1bn investment, 28 stores are up for refurbishment with highly targeted expansion across multiple formats.

Full-line supermarkets are due to open in Hale Barns in Manchester, Cricklewood in London, and Brabazon in Bristol.

A new c-store in Ascot is due to open this autumn, and to support its travel presence four new Relay shops will open at Heathrow this year.

To support and best serve this growth, Waitrose is also opening a distribution centre in Avonmouth, near Bristol, next year, while seeking new opportunities across accessible, high-footfall locations.

Waitrose retail director Tina Mitchell said: “As the ‘home of food lovers’, our growth is shaped by adapting to how our customers live and shop. Today’s consumers no longer rely on a single weekly trip to the supermarket; grocery shopping is an omnichannel experience.

“Backed by our multi-year £1bn investment plan, our ambition is to be wherever our customers want us. We are looking for high-footfall, ‘right size, right location’ sites nationwide to make it easier than ever for people to experience our uncompromising standards, quality and expert partner service.”