Supermarket firm to embark on store-opening spree following strong Christmas trading

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Waitrose has announced plans to create 2,000 jobs as it embarks on a store-opening spree following strong Christmas trading.

The retailer, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, will open 14 shops in the coming year – split between supermarkets and little Waitrose convenience shops.

“​Our expansion story continues as we take the brand to more customers,” said Nigel Keen, the supermarket’s development director.

“Last year many of our new branches received than more than 10 applications for every vacancy.”

Waitrose outperformed the big four grocers – Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco – at Christmas, notching up a 2.8% rise at established stores and a 26.3% increase in sales via Waitrose.com.

The new locations include Wollaton in Nottinghamshire and Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire.

A branch planned for King’s Cross in London will also boast a cookery school. Together, the new developments will add almost 21,400 sq metres (230,000 sq ft) of selling space.

In addition, 100 net new jobs are being created at a new e-commerce depot in Coulsdon, south London, which is due to open in March. The facility is replacing Waitrose’s existing depot in Acton, west London, which has a staff of about 400.