Waitrose Planning To Open More ‘Neighbourhood’ Stores To Combat M&S
Source: Brian Moore, Linkedin post, 29th July 2026 Waitrose is planning to open more of its mid-sized ‘neighbourhood’ format stores in commuter towns and suburbs in a bid to broaden its appeal and challenge fast-growing rival M&S Food. As part of its current £1bn investment programme, the upmarket retailer plans to introduce more of the stores that are around 7,000 sq. ft., sitting between its regular supermarkets and smaller Little Waitrose convenience stores. The format stocks around 6,500 products, compared to over 15,000 in larger Waitrose supermarkets, with a focus on fresh food, an expanded bakery offer, and more cooking products. The company noted it is designed to help “establish a trip to Waitrose as part of the weekly routine”. Waitrose has already opened around 20 of the neighbourhood shops, with the latest launching at Chelmer Village Retail Park in Essex. Other locations include towns on the outskirts of London, such as Leatherhead and Oxted in Surrey, as well as...