Waitrose is planning to open 100 convenience stores over the next five years as part of a £1 billion investment as it turns its focus back to retail.
The upmarket supermarket chain, which is owned by the John Lewis Partnership, is set to open a revamped store in Finchley Road, north London, on Wednesday.
This will kickstart the launch of its expansion programme, with its first new “Little Waitrose” store in six years to open in Hampton Hill, southwest London, later this year. A second is expected to open in Greater London early next year.
Waitrose has about 320 shops, which include large-format supermarkets and about 45 convenience stores.
The partnership said it planned to open 100 new convenience shops and up to four large