Waitrose, the UK retailer, is planning a foray into the convenience channel in a further bid to build its business across the country.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The upmarket retailer confirmed today (9 July) that it is “exploring” a move into convenience and is looking for suitable sites for stores.


“It is something we are looking at and we hope to acquire a site within the next six to eight months for a trial store,” a Waitrose spokesperson told just-food.


The spokesperson refused to be drawn on the size of the stores, although reports in the UK claim the outlets could be sized between 3,000 and 4,000 sq ft.


Should Waitrose press ahead with its plans, its convenience stores will compete with the likes of Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local and M&S Simply Food in the fast-growing sector.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

In May, Waitrose opened a “market-town” store in Cambridgeshire. The 10,000-15,000 sq ft outlets, which focus on stocking more fresh food and local produce, are expected to be rolled out in the coming months.

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact