John Lewis is to introduce a food offer in its Watford shop enabling customers to stock up on Waitrose products whilst shopping the department store.

The £2m investment will see 5,500 st ft of back office space on the second floor converted into a ‘little Waitrose at John Lewis’ shop.

John Lewis said the shop design will “look and feel like a little Waitrose” – the grocer’s convenience format - with the “same food expertise and products”. However, the shop-in-shop will be run by John Lewis Partners especially for the John Lewis customer.  

Waitrose and John Lewis are both operated by the John Lewis Partnership.

The food offer at Watford will be built around core groceries including fresh fruit and deli products as well as ready meals, fresh pasta, soups and breads. It will also have a bakery counter and an alcohol offer.

John Lewis managing director Andy Street said: “The success of our Foodhalls at Oxford Street and Bluewater has taught us how to deliver a food offer in an inspiring and accessible way. This new little Waitrose at John Lewis Watford underlines our continuing commitment to invest and innovate in our shops and is a great example of the John Lewis and Waitrose brands working together to provide powerful and compelling destinations for our customers to visit.”

The ‘little Waitrose at John Lewis’ is due to open in June.