Waitrose was raising its game as the first Whole Foods Market store opened its sliding doors in London last week.

The first of 183 new stores in the John Lewis partnership is set to open in Marylebone High Street in London before the end of the month.

“During the last two years, we have been carrying out detailed research of 2,000 customers’ buying habits in London,” said a spokeswoman. “We have observed how they shop in branch with video tracking and escorted shopping. They told us what products and services they want from Waitrose, so the refurbishment of Marylebone gives us a chance to trial new concepts.”

The new store will feature a Time Of Day counter, offering smoothies and fresh fruit in the morning, salads and fresh sandwiches at lunchtime and three-course meals in the evening. “There will also be new ranges of speciality and fresh farm foods, seasonally sourced to bring a breath of countryside to Marylebone village - and traceable back to the farmer,” said branch manager Ed Barton.

While Marylebone customers await the opening of their new store, six Waitrose Smart cars are on hand from this week until June 27 to pick shoppers up and escort them round Waitrose Bloomsbury, before taking them home and helping to unload their shopping.

Topics