Waitrose has announced plans to open new shops, expand its motorway partnership and refurbish 30 stores in 2026 as part of a £1 billion investment programme to strengthen its physical retail presence.

The supermarket, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, said it will launch a new Little Waitrose convenience store in Ascot, Berkshire, scheduled to open in autumn 2026. The 3,000 sq ft site on Ascot High Street will create around 20 jobs and occupy a former bank location.

Krys Jantzen, regional manager at Waitrose, said the move reflects a targeted push into convenience formats, adding that “securing a presence on Ascot High Street is a significant move in our convenience shop strategy”.

The company is also extending its long-running partnership with motorway operator Welcome Break, with four additional franchise locations planned. Two new sites have already opened on the A1 near Peterborough and the A30 near Bodmin, taking the total number of Waitrose outlets at Welcome Break service stations to 33 nationwide.

Further openings are expected at sites including Spalding, Barrier Bank and Warrington Crossroads in the coming months, widening access to Waitrose products for travelling customers.

According to Retail Bulletin, the expansion forms part of a broader effort to grow and modernise Waitrose’s physical estate alongside its digital operations. The retailer has reaffirmed that previously announced projects, including a new store in Chelmsford and a distribution centre in Bristol, remain on track.

Investment is also focused on refurbishing existing stores, with 30 locations earmarked for upgrades this year. Recent work includes improvements to supermarkets in Haslemere, Barnet, Chiswick, Ruislip and Menai Bridge, as well as convenience stores in Knutsford and Muswell Hill.

Alun Jones, head of Waitrose physical estate, said the programme reflects continued confidence in bricks-and-mortar retail, stating: “From new shops and franchise growth to refurbishments across our existing estate, these investments reflect our confidence in the role our shops continue to play in how customers want to shop with us.”

Beyond its immediate pipeline, Waitrose has also exchanged contracts on a 7,000 sq ft site in Chelmsford and is planning a 30,000 sq ft supermarket in Bristol, due to open in 2028 and expected to create around 150 jobs.

The retailer is also developing a 360,000 sq ft distribution centre in Bristol, scheduled to open next year, which will support around 50 existing stores and provide capacity for further expansion.

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