James Bailey news, comment and analysis
James Bailey has been executive director of Waitrose since 2020. He previously led Sainsbury's buying division. The Grocer covers Bailey and his strategy at Waitrose with news, comment and features.
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NewsDeliveroo dips into meal kits with Waitrose-owned Dishpatch
Users will be able to select from 13 meal kits designed by top chefs including Angela Hartnett, Rick Stein, Sabrina Ghayour and Atul Kochhar, as well as a line of desserts.
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NewsAsda appoints former Sainsbury’s director as first head of own brand
The appointment is Asda’s first dedicated head of own label, marking a strategic move to strengthen its private-label offering
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NewsFormer Tesco exec named as new Waitrose MD
The partnership has moved quickly to name a successor to James Bailey who confirmed that he was leaving the upmarket retailer a fortnight ago
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Comment & OpinionLittle Treats: loyalty rewards are a long overdue smart move for Waitrose
Most Waitrose shoppers are likely to want better Waitrose rewards much more than John Lewis rewards
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Grocer 33Waitrose in Southend-on-Sea crowned best seaside supermarket
Waitrose’s winning score of 68 was rooted in the week’s best performance on availability
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Grocer 33Ben Sheppard of Waitrose Southend-on-Sea on seaside retail and James Bailey’s departure
Shopping patterns are different at the seaside, Waitrose’s winning store manager says
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Grocer 33Asda wins cheapest supermarket again as it undercuts rivals by over £4
Asda offered the cheapest basket this week, undercutting runner-up Sainsbury’s by more than £4
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NewsJames Bailey steps down as Waitrose MD after five-and-a-half years
James Bailey will step down as managing director of Waitrose on 30 September after five-and-a-half years in the role
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NewsWaitrose to open first new supermarket for seven years near Bristol
It’s the first new supermarket Waitrose has confirmed since it kicked off its latest store investment plan last year, and will be the first new ‘full line’ shop to be opened since its Evesham store in 2018.
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NewsSupermarkets join forces for ‘unparalleled’ food hunger campaign
Let’s Make a Meal of It will allow millions of customers to donate funds to people facing hunger
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Comment & OpinionWhy Waitrose is putting welfare labelling on meat
Our customers are telling us they want clear transparency and they want to know the food they buy has been produced to the highest standards, says James Bailey, Waitrose MD
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NewsWaitrose confirms new stores to kick off £600m investment
Waitrose has agreed deals to open new Little Waitrose stores in Southwick, West Sussex and St Andrews in Bristol, which will open as part of its £600m invstment into stores this year
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NewsWaitrose has ‘turned the dial’ on recent struggles, after ‘transformed’ annual results
‘We are transforming the profitability of the Waitrose business,’ declared Waitrose executive director James Bailey, after the John Lewis Partnership’s annual results
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NewsWaitrose launches net zero fund for British farmers
The fund is part of Waitrose’s Farming For Nature Programme and will finance projects that will support the adoption of low-carbon farming practices
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NewsEllen MacArthur Foundation project unveils 141 food products in nature-friendly revamp
Products supplied by the likes of Nestlé, Waitrose, Wildfarmed and First Milk have been devised or revamped using nature-friendly circular economy principles
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NewsWaitrose gives farmers biodiversity boost with free mapping tools
Waitrose farm suppliers will now get free access to Land App’s digital mapping tools
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NewsTesco, Lidl, Co-op and Aldi call for ‘pause’ on ‘Family Farm Tax’
Tesco CCO Ashwin Prasad said the retailer wanted a halt in the rollout of inheritance tax reforms and was calling for a long-term government vision for farming
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NewsWaitrose opens new store and expands convenience partnerships
Waitrose will expand its franchise partnerships with Shell and Welcome Break, after opening its first new store in six years
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NewsMedia Bites 14 October: Waitrose’s James Bailey, Home Bargains, Energy bills and farming
Waitrose executive director James Bailey traces his love for the upmarket retailer back to his mum taking him to the Eastbourne branch as a six-year-old
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NewsWaitrose expands on-demand delivery offer with Just Eat
The multi-year deal adds to Waitrose’s existing rapid delivery tieups




