Waitrose has revealed it is to expand into the Channel Islands after acquiring five local supermarkets .
The five stores – three in Jersey and two in Guernsey – have been purchased by the upmarket grocery chain from local firm Sandpiper CI and will result in over 200 new retail jobs being created in both islands.
Waitrose also confirmed that all 480 employees currently working at the stores will be retained and offered the chance to become Partners within the John Lewis Partnership.
The sale of the shops is being scrutinised by the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority, and is not expected to be completed until October.
Sandpiper CI will continue to operate the stores until the start of 2011 before handing them over to Waitrose . The shops, which will provide over 130,000 sq ft of selling space, will then be re-opened under the Waitrose brand in a phased programme early next year.
Commenting on the move, Waitrose Managing Director Mark Price said: “I’m delighted that we will now be able to bring the full Waitrose offer to the Channel Islands .”
“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.”
Waitrose has been selling a vast range of its own-label products in the Channel Islands for the last two years through a supply agreement with Sandpiper CI.
