Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Waitrose has increased its presence in the UAE with the opening of an eighth branch on Monday (March 28).
The retailer opened a fifth store in Abu Dhabi, on Saadiyat Island, adding to its three shops in Dubai.
Saadiyat Island is a 27sq km island located 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi providing retail, leisure, educational, cultural and commercial facilities.
Fine Fare Food Market LLC will run the store’s daily operation, supported by Waitrose in the UK.
The 10,000sq ft shop offers Waitrose products, including its essential Waitrose range, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh meat. Bakery, delicatessen, grocery, frozen and non-food lines are also available.
Since the supermarket chain opened its first shop outside the UK in Dubai in 2008, sales in the UAE have ‘exceeded all expectation’.
Big sellers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai stores include Waitrose farmhouse Cheddar, its freshly baked patisserie range and essential Waitrose tinned tomatoes.
David Morton, Waitrose director, business to business, said: “Expanding our business into the UAE supports our long term growth plans to make the Waitrose brand accessible to more people in more places. Customers in the region have really taken to our offer and we’re thrilled to continue building our presence in Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.”
