Waitrose confirms locations of new convenience stores

Waitrose has confirmed the locations of the first two convenience stores it is opening this year, alongside proposals to refurbish 20 of its existing stores under its £1bn investment plan.

The upmarket grocer will launch new Little Waitrose shops in Southwick, West Sussex and St Andrews, Bristol before the end of the summer, The Grocer reported. Further new site locations will be unveiled during the year.

The stores are the first new sites confirmed by the supermarket as owner John Lewis Partnership announced its plans to invest £600m into its supply chain and store estates.

The openings come after Waitrose launched its first new convenience store in six years in Hampton Hill, southwest London, last November, marking its 47th Waitrose-operated convenience shop.

In August, the retailer confirmed it was targeting 100 convenience stores over the next three years, under a £1bn investment into new stores and refurbishments.

Waitrose is also planning to refurbish 20 of its existing supermarkets this year, up from the 14 it revamped last year.

The grocer’s Bridport, Newbury, and Swaffham sites are thought to be among the areas to receive investment.

The supermarket chain saw its sales increase 4.4% to £8bn in 52 weeks to 25 January, helping to double its adjusted operating profit to £227m.

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