Waitrose is planning to roll out a new fleet of neighbourhood-sized stores as part of a £1bn investment plan spanning physical shops, online services, on-demand grocery, and travel retail partnerships.
The supermarket said it is putting customer choice at the heart of its expansion, deploying a highly localised, multi-format store strategy that matches shop size, layout, and product ranges directly to regional demand.
Bridging the gap between a convenience shop and a full-scale supermarket, the new “neighbourhood” concept has debuted at Waitrose’s shop in Chelmer Village, Essex.
Designed for suburban areas where the brand already enjoys strong popularity, the 7,000 sq ft mid-size stores will stock over 6,500 products. The retailer aims to appeal to a wide variety of shopping missions while establishing a Waitrose visit as part of local residents’ weekly routines.
The wider £1bn investment programme includes 28 store refurbishments and targeted expansion across multiple formats this year.
Two full-line supermarkets are scheduled to open this autumn in Hale Barns, Manchester, and Cricklewood, London, with a third planned at the new Brabazon development in Bristol. A new convenience store will also open in Ascot later this year.
Simultaneously, Waitrose is expanding its travel retail presence across major transport hubs. Four new Relay shops are opening this year at Heathrow Terminal 2, building on existing partnerships across 35 Welcome Break service stations and 107 Shell forecourts.
To support this growth, the retailer will open a new distribution centre in Avonmouth, South West England, early next year. Waitrose is actively seeking new leasehold and freehold opportunities in accessible, high-footfall locations across towns, suburbs, and city centres.
Tina Mitchell, Waitrose Retail Director, 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.”
