Waitrose will focus on generating additional growth from its existing portfolio this year, with six stores earmarked for major extension and a planned refurbishment programme for 72 outlets.

Speaking to The Grocer after the retailer announced annual sales up to £3bn this week, Waitrose managing director Steven Esom said: “There is room for more growth in our existing stores and we also hope to grow about five to six per cent per annum in floor space.”

Six new Waitrose stores will open in 2005 and a sixth Food and Home in Kent is also planned for 2007.

Sales rose 10% in the year to 29 January 2005, with trading profit up 10% to £193m, due to the acquisition of 19 stores from Morrisons. Esom said core shops had also performed well, shown in like-for-like sales growth of 3%, with fresh food performing particularly strongly throughout the year.

For the full story read this week’s issue of The Grocer dated 12 March.

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