Waitrose opens first new supermarket in eight years under £1bn investment plan

Cricklewood store opens Thursday; further stores planned across UK

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Updated22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

Waitrose will open its first new supermarket in eight years on Thursday in Cricklewood, north London, as part of a £1bn investment plan that includes another supermarket in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, next month and four smaller stores next year.

The upmarket grocer said the investment would refurbish existing stores and add new outlets. Tina Mitchell, retail director at Waitrose, said that supermarkets provide the ultimate showcase for everything that sets Waitrose apart, from quality and welfare standards to expert service.

The company, led since January by former Tesco executive Tom Denyard, also plans to refurbish 29 stores this year. After a period affected by IT problems that caused gaps on shelves, Waitrose is holding market share, though it faces pressure from Marks & Spencer, which has gained grocery market share through new food-led outlets.

Sales at Waitrose rose 4% in the six months to 1 August, but underlying operating profit fell by £7m to £103m, due to investment in keeping prices down and improving its loyalty scheme, as well as higher energy costs during the summer heat wave. Its parent company, the John Lewis Partnership, reported a £98m pre-tax loss in the same period, with department store sales falling despite heavy investment in updating outlets.

On Wednesday, the partnership signed its first company-wide union recognition deal with Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, ahead of new rights of union access in workplaces. Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary, said the agreement will strengthen the union’s presence and help support and represent members across the partnership.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Waitrose is reviving expansion after a challenging period of financial losses and increased competition, signalling confidence in physical retail.
The union recognition deal marks a significant shift in labour relations at the employee-owned John Lewis Partnership, potentially influencing other retailers.
The investment plan aims to refresh the store estate and could affect market share dynamics with rivals like Marks & Spencer.

Background

Waitrose, the supermarket arm of the John Lewis Partnership, operates more than 300 stores across the UK. The partnership is employee-owned and has faced financial headwinds, reporting a £98m half-year pre-tax loss. The company has been reducing direct staffing to trim costs.

Key Perspectives

Waitrose: The new stores and refurbishments showcase the brand's quality and service, supporting a turnaround strategy.

Usdaw: The union recognition deal will strengthen workers' representation across the partnership.

Market observers: Waitrose faces pressure from Marks & Spencer's expanding food business, which has eroded its grocery market share by some measures.

What to Watch

Waitrose's market share in forthcoming Worldpanel reports.
Implementation and impact of the union recognition agreement.
Performance of new stores in Cricklewood and Hale Barns.
John Lewis Partnership financial results for the next half-year.

Sources

Waitrose opens first new supermarket in eight years in north London · World news | The Guardian
Waitrose opens first new supermarket in eight years in north London · Business | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

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SupportedWaitrose is opening its first new supermarket in eight years.Business | The Guardian: “Waitrose opens first new supermarket in eight years in north London.”
SupportedThe opening is part of a £1bn investment plan.Business | The Guardian: “As part of a £1bn investment plan , Waitrose has chosen Cricklewood in north London as the location for its first supermarket in eight years.”
SupportedThe Cricklewood store will open on Thursday.Business | The Guardian: “The upmarket grocer will open the store on Thursday”
SupportedWaitrose plans another supermarket in Hale Barns next month and four smaller stores next year.Business | The Guardian: “another supermarket in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester , next month. It also plans four smaller stores next year,”
SupportedTina Mitchell said Waitrose supermarkets showcase what sets the company apart, including quality, welfare standards and service.Business | The Guardian: “Tina Mitchell, the retail director at Waitrose , said: “Our supermarkets provide the ultimate showcase for everything that sets Waitrose apart – from our unmatched quality and industry-leading welfare standards to the expert service of our partners.””
Partly supportedWaitrose is holding market share after a period in which IT problems led to gaps on shelves.Business | The Guardian: “After a difficult period, when sales were hit by IT problems which led to gaps on shelves, Waitrose is holding market share, according to the latest figures from market analysts Worldpanel by Numerator.”
Partly supportedMarks & Spencer has gained grocery market share through its new food-led outlets.Business | The Guardian: “the chain is coming under pressure from Marks & Spencer, which now has a higher share of the grocery market, under some measures, after opening a number of new food-led outlets.”
SupportedWaitrose sales rose 4% in the six months to 1 August.Business | The Guardian: “Sales at Waitrose rose 4% in the six months to 1 August.”
SupportedWaitrose’s underlying operating profit fell by £7m to £103m because of investment in prices and its loyalty scheme, as well as higher energy costs during the summer heat wave.Business | The Guardian: “its underlying operating profit slid by £7m to £103m as it invested in keeping prices down and improving its loyalty scheme. It was also hit by higher energy costs during the summer heat wave.”
SupportedThe John Lewis Partnership reported a £98m pre-tax loss in the same period, while department-store sales fell despite heavy investment in updating outlets.Business | The Guardian: “The John Lewis Partnership – which is owned by its staff – reported a £98m pre-tax loss in the half-year to 1 August, as sales fell at the department stores despite heavy investment in updating the outlets.”
SupportedOn Wednesday, the partnership signed its first company-wide union recognition deal with Usdaw.Business | The Guardian: “On Wednesday, the partnership announced it had signed its first company-wide union recognition deal. The collective agreement with Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union,”
SupportedUsdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said the agreement would strengthen the union’s presence and help it support and represent members across the partnership.Business | The Guardian: “Joanne Thomas, the general secretary of Usdaw, said: “Usdaw already has members working within the business and this agreement will strengthen that presence and help us in supporting and representing members across the partnership.””