Waitrose expects to create 1,500 jobs through store openings and a new e-commerce grocery depot during 2016.
The retailer plans to open 14 new shops across the UK from spring next year, including five new supermarkets and nine new Little Waitrose convenience shops.
Supermarkets already confirmed include High Wycombe (Buckinghamshire), Uttoxeter (Staffordshire), Solihull (West Midlands), which will all open throughout the spring, and Truro (Cornwall) and Worcester, which will open in the summer.
The supermarket chain will also open Little Waitrose convenience stores at the South Bank Tower in central London and Leatherhead in Surrey during the summer. Plans for seven further convenience branches next year will add almost 200,000 sq ft of selling space to the store estate.
In addition, Waitrose will be creating up to 200 roles in its e-commerce fulfilment centre in Coulsdon, South London.
“At a time when many retailers’ estates are contracting, we are delighted to be opening new shops around the country and giving 1,500 people the opportunity to become partners in our business,” said Waitrose director of development Nigel Keen.
“Many of these new shops will go beyond the traditional supermarket, delivering exciting modern shopping experiences which tap into the growing demand for grazing and casual dining.”
Waitrose sales were up 2.7%, according to the latest market share figures from Kantar.
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