31 Dec 2007


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Waitrose confirms overseas expansion plans

Waitrose

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Waitrose to move overseas 31 Dec 2007

Waitrose has confirmed reports that it is to expand overseas for the first time.

It will license the Waitrose brand to Dubai-based retailer Spinneys, which will lead to selected stores carrying the Waitrose fascia in Dubai.

Spinneys has been selling a wide range of Waitrose own label products in the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and neighbouring Oman, since 2004.

From April 2008, the first Spinney’s store to operate with a Waitrose fascia will be a 25,000sq f supermarket in a suburb of Dubai populated by British and other European families.

Two further purpose-built Waitrose branches will open in July and October 2008 respectively, one next to the Dubai Marina and the other at the new Burj Dubai Mall, currently under construction.

In the following two years, Spinneys plans to convert 20 more stores to trade as Waitrose.

Richard Hodgson, commercial director for Waitrose, said: “This agreement is set to accelerate export trade for Waitrose and marks a significant milestone in our international ambitions.

“Spinneys, a retail operator that shares many of the Waitrose trading principles and with whom we have enjoyed a successful three-year trading relationship, was the obvious choice for our first licensing deal.”

Waitrose managing director Mark Price, speaking to the Times Online website, said he was particularly keen to do far more in China and India, two of 20 countries where Waitrose currently exports part of its product range through tie-ups with foreign retailers.

He told the website that the supermarket was considering a similar licensing deal with Park n Shop in China.

He said: "Waitrose is a really well regarded business globally and we have not to date exploited that. I think that over the next couple of years' people will be surprised by our ambition."

The supermarket chain has also been in contact with potential franchise partners in South Africa, said [I[Times Online, and is believed to be close to signing a deal to export Waitrose-branded products to the USA.

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Phil Jordan	06 May 2008 14:24:33
We need stores like yourselves to set up in Australia, since Aldi has set up, it has kept the big guys like Coles and woolworths in check.. thanks Phil Brisbane Queensland Australia