Waitrose is planning to open 14 new shops across the UK in 2015, including seven little Waitrose convenience stores.

The retailer said it expected to create 2,000 jobs in new and extended stores this year, as well as in a new e-commerce grocery depot.

Including two major extensions to existing branches, Waitrose will add almost 230,000sq ft of selling space to its estate.

The new little Waitrose stores will be located in the South East, including a store in Heathfield, East Sussex. The new supermarkets include Wollaton (Nottinghamshire), Milngavie (East Dumbartonshire), Bagshot (Surrey), Oxford, King’s Cross, Basingstoke (Hampshire) and Guildford in Surrey. It has already openbed two stores this month in Egham and Walbrook.

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 more than 10 applications for every vacancy - so we’re delighted to be able to create an additional 2,000 roles in 2015.”

 

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