Waitrose has unveiled plans to open a record number of branches within the M25 next year, which will create up to 1,000 jobs.
The retailer has targeted opening 20 new Little Waitrose convenience shops both in and around the capital by the end of 2012.
It follows a successful trial of the sub-brand Little Waitrose at its Old Brompton Rd shop in South Kensington, which opened in January this year. The brand is designed to help shoppers easily differentiate its convenience format from the rest of its core estate.
It will become the largest number of branches Waitrose has ever opened in the area in one year since the company’s first shop opened in Acton in 1904 and will provide an additional 100,000sqft of selling space.
Waitrose has taken major steps in the last six years to increase its presence throughout the UK, however of its existing 257 stores more than a quarter are located within the M25.
The announcement builds on the investment the retailer is continuing to make in London this year - Waitrose has already opened one full-size supermarket and five convenience shops so far in 2011.
By this Christmas, Waitrose will be opening two new full-size supermarkets in Wimbledon and Stratford as well as a further five convenience shops creating a further 600 jobs.
Waitrose MD Mark Price said: “London is an important part of our heritage so this is another exciting milestone for our business. It demonstrates our ambition to continue increasing our presence and improving our accessibility to those who wish to shop with us."
In Scotland, Sainsbury’s plans to open three new supermarkets, 10 new convenience stores and extend three existing stores in 2011-12, creating more than 1,300 jobs.
No comments yet