Major supermarket opens 'food lovers' concept store as part of huge £1bn plan

Waitrose has unveiled its first 'Home of Food Lovers' concept store as part of the supermarket's mission to be the first choice for food lovers. The major supermarket transformed its 27,000-square-foot Newbury store into a testing ground for new ideas, and once they are tested with shoppers, the new concepts will be introduced to other stores and become part of the blueprint for new ones.

The development is a key part of Waitrose's £1 billion investment programme, which aims to enhance its 317 UK stores and open new ones. The huge chain also revealed that it will be investing a record £50 million in technology across its store portfolio to enhance the shopping experiences for customers.

As part of the new concept, the Newbury store includes a five-metre Cheese Island that boasts a curated selection of nearly 100 speciality cheeses, expanded and modernised counters including a new 'Meal Maker' service, where fishmongers and butchers preapre cuts with free rubs and marinades, a new Dry-Aged beef counter, a revitalised fruit, and veg department "championing sustainability" and focusing on organic, Fairtrade, and regeneratively-farmed produce.

Other features include a new 'Food Lovers Hub' where shoppers can find seasonal recipe inspiration and ingredient and wine pairings conveniently grouped together. The delicatessen counter now offers a personalised grazing box service, a Fine & Rare wine section featuring a blast wine chiller that cools bottles in just minutes, and a brand-new Waite & Rose Cafe.

Waitrose has also expanded its in-store bakery, which features an exclusive new partnership with premium brand Ole & Steen. The collab will be rolled out to 35 Waitrose stores.

Tina Mitchell, Interim Managing Director for Waitrose, said: "Today is a significant move forward in our strategy to be the undisputed Home of Food Lovers. We're deliberately investing in the joy of food - in expert cheesemongers, butchers, and fishmongers, as well as our cafés and bakeries - a strategic choice that champions the in-store experience for our customers.

"This vision is backed by our largest-ever tech investment, using AI and new systems to ensure a seamless customer experience, one that has our Partners and their passion for food right at its heart."

Partners at the Newbury store will also be the first to trial Waitrose's AI app that provides up-to-date production information, allowing them "to provide customers with outstanding service, and communicate their knowledge and passion for food".

The app will provide answers on product availability and locations, as well as nutrition and sustainability information, and cooking and recipe recommendations.

The £1 billion investment is a multi-year programme that will help Waitrose "offer the very best products, service and shops for customers".