UK upmarket retailer Waitrose is to expand into the Channel Islands with the acquisition of five supermarkets.
The group said today (23 June) that it will acquire three stores in Jersey and two in Guernsey from Channel Island retailer Sandpiper CI.
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The shops, which will provide over 130,000sq ft of selling space, will open as Waitrose in a phased programme in early 2011. No financial details were disclosed.
Mark Price, Waitrose managing director, said: “People in the Channel Islands have been telling us for years that they want a Waitrose. Our supply relationship with Sandpiper CI shows there’s strong demand for Waitrose quality food and I’m delighted that we will now be able to bring the full Waitrose offer to the Channel Islands.
“The move is part of our strategy to make the Waitrose brand accessible to more people in more places and builds on our recent acquisitions from the Co-op and Woolworths, as well as our strategic partnerships with Welcome Break and Boots,” he added.
Waitrose said it will create over a hundred additional jobs with the new stores, which will provide a range of foods including the Essential Waitrose range.
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By GlobalDataThe shops will be operated by Sandpiper under licence following completion of the deal, which is expected in October, and until the stores are handed over to Waitrose, anticipated to be in early 2011.
The retailer said the 480 employees in all five supermarkets will be offered roles within Waitrose.
