Waitrose opens first new supermarket in eight years

British upmarket retailer Waitrose & Partners has opened a new supermarket in Cricklewood, North West London. This marks the company’s first full-line supermarket opening in eight years.

The Cricklewood location utilizes the ‘Home of Food Lovers’ concept, which emphasizes quality, food integrity, animal welfare, and organic, Fairtrade, and regeneratively grown produce. The 1,670-square-meter store features specialized counters for meat, fish, sushi, and cheese, alongside an on-site bakery and wine section.

This opening is part of a £1 billion investment program aimed at expanding the retailer's network and enhancing online and wholesale operations. Waitrose plans to open another supermarket in Hale Barns, Manchester, in November. Additionally, the company has secured four sites in Bedminster, Chalk Farm, Oakham, and Springstead Village for openings starting in 2027, with 29 existing stores scheduled for refurbishment in 2026.