Waitrose to launch new stores on sites leased by Asda
Waitrose is to open two full-line supermarkets in Manchester’s Hale Brand and London’s Cricklewood as part of its £1 billion multi-year investment programme.
Both sites are currently leased by Asda with the Hale Barns store still trading while Cricklewood is a newly developed site.
Subscribe to TRBAsda employees working at Hale Barns will become Waitrose partners and the retailer will be recruiting to fill additional roles at both stores.
The move forms part of Waitrose’s wider growth strategy which includes opening in new locations, expanding through additional channels and continuing to invest in its existing estate. The retailer is also refurbishing 28 shops this year.
Tina Mitchell, Waitrose retail director, said: “These two new shops are an important step in our plans to bring Waitrose to more customers.
“We want to be in the places that matter most to our customers, offering the quality, service and convenience they expect from Waitrose, while continuing to invest in our existing shops and wider network.”
Waitrose is also set to open new smaller stores in Chelmer Village and Ascot this year.
Last month, the retailer confirmed that it was entering the airport travel retail market for the first time, with Waitrose products being stocked in four Relay stores in Heathrow Terminal 2.
