UK: Waitrose to open distribution centre to serve south west

Waitrose, the upmarket grocery retailer, has announced plans for its first distribution centre in the south west of the UK, as it seeks to lay the groundwork for further expansion in the region.

The 360,000 sq ft site site, which will open towards the end of 2026, will make deliveries to around 50 of the retailer’s existing shops, but with capacity to support new store openings.

The news follows an ambitious programme of store openings that Waitrose announced last year, with a focus on the convenience channel. In Bristol, where the new distribution centre is to be located, the company has plans for new stores in Brabazon and The Arches.

Commenting on the announcement, Alison Maffin, Waitrose supply chain director, said; “This multi-million pound investment is an important step in modernising our supply chain and setting us up to build the capacity needed for our growth plans. It will enable us to better serve our customers in the region, more efficiently supply our existing shops and reduce our operating costs and carbon emissions”.

Source: Waitrose