Waitrose expansion to create 2,000 jobs in 2015

The retailer said it plans to open 14 stores across the UK, including seven supermarkets and seven Little Waitrose convenience stores, adding close to 230,000sq ft of selling space to its estate.

As part of the expansion, Waitrose has confirmed:

• new supermarkets in a number of locations across the UK, including: Wollaton (Nottinghamshire), Milngavie (East Dumbartonshire), Bagshot (Surrey), Oxford, King’s Cross (includes a new cookery school), Basingstoke (Hampshire) and Guildford (Surrey)
• Waitrose Horsham to be relocated, while branches in Saffron Walden and Bayswater to undergo major redevelopments
• a new Little Waitrose in Heathfield (East Sussex) and a further six convenience shops in new locations in the south east
• additional roles in its distribution department, adding to new roles already announced at its new e-commerce grocery depot in Coulsdon, South London opening in March

Waitrose director of development, Nigel Keen, said: “Our expansion story continues as we take the brand to more customers and invest in our omni-channel approach.

“Last year many of our new branches received than more than 10 applications for every vacancy – so we’re delighted to be able to create an additional 2,000 roles in 2015.”

The announcement from Waitrose will be a welcome boost for the sector, following news earlier this month that Sainsbury’s is cutting 500 roles at its support centres. Tesco also said that it will close 43 unprofitable stores, while Morrisons said is planning to close 10 loss-making stores in 2015.

Source: Waitrose