Waitrose to open 39 new stores

Waitrose has announced its best ever Christmas trading period reveals expansion plans that will see it create 3,000 jobs this year

The retailer will open 39 stores in 2011, nearly doubling its rate of growth from the 20 it opened in 2010.

The new outlets will include 27 convenience stores, marking a big increase in the roll-out of its smaller store format, launched last year.

The announcement follows the company’s best Christmas trading period in which sales grew by 8.9% in the first 23 days of December, driven by strong demand for luxury Christmas products.

The strong performance continued between Christmas and New Year when sales grew by 9.7%, as shoppers bought champagne and party food, Waitrose announced today.

Managing director Mark Price said: “Our strong Christmas trading figures give us confidence for the year ahead, when we will continue to invest in the future growth of our business.”

The new supermarkets will open in Jersey and Guernsey, Stratford, Raynes Park and Wimbledon in London, as well as Exeter, Marlow and Newton Mearns in Glasgow. Convenience stores will open in locations including Old Brompton and Palmers Green in London.

Source : The Retail Bulletin