Waitrose has opened its first new store in six years, bringing a convenience-focused shop to Hampton Hill, southwest London. The store, which opened its doors today, marks a significant milestone for the retailer as it renews efforts to expand its own estate of smaller-format shops.
The Hampton Hill store spans 3,000 sq ft and becomes the 47th Waitrose-operated convenience location. Designed to cater to modern shopping habits, it offers a curated range of high-quality Waitrose products in a compact, customer-friendly space. The focus on convenience reflects the growing demand for smaller stores in urban and suburban areas.
This store is the first to feature a specially designed collection hatch for delivery riders, allowing seamless pickups for orders made through Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat. This innovation supports Waitrose’s on-demand grocery services, which have seen a 115% increase in weekly sales compared to this time last year.
While the retailer has been expanding its reach through partnerships with Shell and Welcome Break, the Hampton Hill store signals a renewed commitment to developing its own convenience locations. Executive Director for Waitrose, James Bailey, said:
“The long associated stereotypes of food at forecourts and service stations are becoming a thing of the past—expectation has moved on, and customers are rightfully demanding more. They want great tasting, quality food no matter where they are. Through new store openings and strategic partnerships we will continue to evolve our shops to get better and better, whilst reaching new locations that help bring Waitrose great quality, service, and value closer to more customers.”
Waitrose Future Plans
The Hampton Hill opening sets the stage for further developments in Waitrose’s convenience strategy. While the initial focus is on stores similar in size to the new location, the retailer has confirmed plans to explore larger convenience shops, up to 6,000 sq ft, in the future.
Additionally, Waitrose continues to integrate its physical stores with digital convenience. The delivery hatch trial at Hampton Hill reflects a broader shift towards on-demand shopping solutions, ensuring customers have flexible access to their favourite products.
