The supermarket chain says there are 6.5m shoppers without easy access to a Waitrose store. As part of the expansion the chain's commercial relationship with Boots will be developed. Waitrose and Boots are in discussions to trial the sale of product ranges in each others' stores, including Boots supporting Waitrose with healthcare and well-being ranges and Waitrose supporting Boots with a range of foods.
The two businesses are in the process of re-branding the Boots UK-owned pharmacies located in 13 Waitrose stores to "Boots Pharmacy" - which is due to be completed by the end of November.
In May 2009 Waitrose opened stores at Oxford and South Mimms Welcome Break service stations. The retailer now plans to implement the model across a further nine Welcome Break sites.
Mark Price, managing director at Waitrose said: ‘We've broadened the appeal of our brand with innovations like Essential Waitrose, the ‘Seriously ...' range of indulgent cakes and desserts, Duchy Originals from Waitrose, new non-food ranges, and by being the first UK supermarket to get rid of delivery charges for online grocery shopping - and we're seeing real sales momentum as a result.
‘Now, by opening up these new channels and formats, we'll be making Waitrose accessible to more customers in more places and we'll be able to create thousands of new jobs.'
Waitrose last week reported gross sales were up 7.4%, with operating profit (excluding property profits) up 18.7% and customer numbers up by nearly 6% overall, for the half year ending 1 August 2009.
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