Waitrose to open three new stores with more planned for next year – see full list

3 weeks ago admin

Waitrose is opening three new convenience stores as part of a massive expansion partnership with Welcome Break and Shell.

Today, the supermarket chain opened a new Little Waitrose store in Hampton Hill, southwest London. This is the chain's first new Waitrose convenience store in six years, and it's 47th overall.

The new Hampton Hill store also has a hatch to allow delivery riders from Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat to make collections more easily. This is the first store with this feature with the trial with the view of them becoming a key feature of Waitrose shops.

Through its partnership with Welcome Break services, the chain plans to open two more sites on the A14 in Spaldwick, Cambridgeshire, this year and on the M1 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in January. The upmarket chain has been in partnership with Welcome Break since 2009 and currently has Little Waitrose in 27 of its motorway service areas.

The new stores will be the first the retailer has opened with Welcome Break in eleven years. A fourth store is also planned for next year, although the location has yet to be confirmed. Waitrose is currently working to expand its convenience store estate through franchise sites at Welcome Break services and Shell forecourts. Waitrose currently supplies 100 Shell forecourts in the UK.

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James Bailey, Executive Director for Waitrose, said: "The long associated stereotypes of food at forecourts and service stations are becoming a thing of the past – expectation has moved on and customers are rightfully demanding more. They want great tasting, quality food no matter where they are.

"Through new store openings and strategic partnerships we will continue to evolve our shops to get better and better, whilst reaching new locations that help bring Waitrose great quality, service and value closer to more customers.”

Adrian Grimes, Commercial Director for Welcome Break, added: "We’re delighted to be opening Little Waitrose at our Spaldwick services on the A14. This will be our first Little Waitrose in a forecourt environment and a fantastic addition to the local area. Customers will now be able to stop off on their journey and select from a great range of quality Waitrose products. Our partnership with Waitrose has been incredibly prosperous and we look forward to opening more Little Waitrose stores in the coming years across the Welcome Break network.”