Waitrose to open four stores at Heathrow airport

The deal will see the upmarket grocer’s products stocked in four Relay stores in Heathrow Terminal 2, three of which will be airside and one landside.

Each outlet, due to open by the end of the year, will offer a range of Waitrose food-to-go products, including Waitrose’s No.1 range.

The expansion forms part of the grocer’s strategy to grow through additional channels alongside continued investment into its stores and online business.

Waitrose said Heathrow Terminal 2 serves 20 million passengers a year, giving it access to a new customer base in the busy travel hub.

Waitrose chief commercial officer Charlotte Di Cello said: “Launching at Heathrow marks our first move into airport retail and an important step in growing our brand by bringing our offer to more customers in high-traffic locations. 

“In partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail and Relay, our food-to-go offer will launch in four stores in Terminal 2 by the end of the year, building on the progress we’re already making in travel retail, alongside continued investment in our own shops and online offer.”

Nicholas Dunne, commercial director of Lagardère Travel Retail UK and Ireland, added: “This partnership with Waitrose marks a significant step in our ambition to elevate the food-to-go experience within our blended travel essentials offer. 

“By bringing one of the UK’s most trusted premium food brands to Relay at Heathrow Terminal 2, we are combining quality, convenience and strong brand recognition to better serve passengers in a fast-paced environment.

“The partnership demonstrates our ability to leverage our cross-business line expertise and partner with leading high street brands to adapt their offer to the specific needs of travellers.”