Preparing for its split from Ocado, Waitrose is increasing resources to handle demand for its online shopping service.
The UK retailer recently announced it is launching a national roll-out programme that will add its Waitrose.com online delivery service to 24 more of its shops across the country.
From 1 September, Ocado is going to lose the right to sell any Waitrose products, so Waitrose food and drink will exclusively be available online on Waitrose.com.
“September offers the single biggest growth opportunity for our business and we’re investing heavily to achieve it,” Digital Director Ben Stimson said. “We’re not starting from scratch. Waitrose.com is growing significantly ahead of the market and we already deliver to tens of thousands of customers each week, added to the millions who visit our shops.”
Waitrose’s shop in Hailsham will be the first of the stores to receive the service. Currently 150 of the retailer’s shops cover deliveries across the country, with 84% of active UK postcodes able to order Waitrose.com shopping.
In addition to the new 24 shops, significant work is underway with the current online shops to further increase their order capacity. Waitrose also plans to open a new Customer Fulfilment Centre in Enfield in the coming months.”
“Our teams at head office are working across our website and apps to make our service better, faster and more convenient,” Stimson said. “And our chefs and product developers will be launching or redeveloping more than 5,000 of our own-label products this year.”
