Director of shop trade at Waitrose, Mark Gifford, said that the decision was not taken lightly. ‘Thanks to the hard work of all our Partners we’re making good progress and Waitrose & Partners is on track for profit growth this year but, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, we haven’t been able to find a way to make these shops profitable in the long term.’ he explained.
Waitrose has sold its Bromley, Oadby, and Wollaton outlets to Lidl, while the Sandhurst store was bought by a party that did not disclose its name. By autumn of this year, the retailer will also close three stores in Marlow, Stevenage, and British Airways headquarters near Heathrow.
The 677 partners working at these shops will now enter a period of consultation, the retailer said. Gifford added, ‘Our priority now is the wellbeing and future of our Partners in these shops. We will do everything we can to support them and will explore opportunities for anyone wishing to remain with the Partnership.’
