Waitrose has opened its first new supermarket in eight years at Cricklewood, north London, marking the start of a £1bn investment programme to expand its store network across the UK.
The 18,000 sq ft store opened on Thursday as part of the upmarket grocer's plans to grow its physical presence. A second new supermarket is due to open in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, next month.
New stores and refurbishments
The 15,000 sq ft Hale Barns store was previously leased by Asda and is undergoing a full refurbishment before reopening under the Waitrose brand. The two openings form part of the retailer's wider strategy to invest in new supermarkets, neighbourhood shops and convenience stores, with the size and format tailored to each location.
Waitrose is also planning four further openings in 2027, including a supermarket in Oakham, Rutland, and convenience stores in Bedminster, Bristol, Chalk Farm, London, and Springstead Village, Cambridge. Alongside its expansion, the retailer is investing in its existing stores, with 29 refurbishments planned this year.
Investment and financial performance
The upgrades are designed to improve the shopping experience and will include features such as fresh meat and fish counters, sushi stations, in-store bakeries and expanded fine wine ranges. Waitrose retail director Tina Mitchell said: "Our supermarkets provide the ultimate showcase for everything that sets Waitrose apart – from our unmatched quality and industry-leading welfare standards to the expert service of our partners."
The expansion comes as Waitrose continues to invest in its offer while facing pressure on profits. Sales at the grocer rose by 4% in the six months to August 1. However, underlying operating profit fell by £7m to £103m over the period.
Broader expansion plans
The decline came as Waitrose invested in lowering prices and improving its loyalty scheme, while also facing higher energy costs. Meanwhile, parent company John Lewis Partnership reported a £98m pre-tax loss for the same period, with weaker department store sales weighing on its overall performance.
Waitrose is also expanding beyond traditional supermarkets through partnerships with delivery platforms and travel retailers. Customers can order groceries through Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. It has also been expanding its presence at major transport hubs, including plans for four new RELAY shops at Heathrow Terminal 2.
Another major development is the construction of Waitrose's first distribution centre in the South West, at Avonmouth near Bristol. Scheduled to begin serving stores in early 2027, the 360,000 sq ft facility is expected to create more than 550 jobs and supply around 50 existing branches.
