Waitrose Receives Go Ahead For Channel Islands Store Plans

Wed, 25 Aug 2010

 
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Waitrose has been given the green light to enter the Channel Islands grocery market next year.

The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority has given the upmarket retailer permission to re-brand five stores - three in Jersey and two in Guernsey - acquired from local firm Sandpiper CI, after deciding that they would not affect competition on the islands.

Waitrose welcomed the decision and said the supermarkets will help boost employment, with around 100 jobs expected to be created in each island.

All 480 employees currently working at the stores will also be retained and offered the chance to become Partners within the John Lewis Partnership.

The Channel Island stores, which will provide over 130,000 sq ft of selling space, will continue to be managed by Sandpiper CI until the start of 2011 when they will then be handed over to Waitrose and re-opened under the Waitrose brand in a phased programme early next year.

Speaking in June, Waitrose Managing Director Mark Price said the move is "part of our strategy to make the Waitrose brand accessible to more people in more places, and builds on our recent acquisitions from the Co-op and Woolworths, as well as our strategic partnerships with Welcome Break and Boots".