Waitrose to open new London and Manchester supermarkets on sites leased by Asda
Waitrose is set to open new supermarkets in Hale Barns, South Manchester, and Cricklewood, North West London, on sites currently leased by Asda.
The supermarket retailer said the openings mark the latest step in its £1bn, multi-year investment programme.
Together, the stores will total over 30,000 sq ft of selling space and are expected to open this autumn.
The Hale Barns store is currently trading, while the Cricklewood location is a newly-developed site. Asda employees working at Hale Barns will become Waitrose Partners while recruitment will take place to fill further roles at both stores.
Tina Mitchell, retail director at Waitrose, 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.”
The news follows Waitrose’s recent announcement that it will launch into airport travel retail for the first time, with Waitrose products to be stocked in four RELAY stores in Heathrow Terminal 2.
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. As part of its long-term programme to modernise its shop estate, Waitrose will refurbish 28 shops this year as it looks to improve the in-store experience for customers across the country.