Waitrose toasts 10 years in Scotland by doubling suppliers

Since opening in Scotland 10 years ago, Waitrose has doubled the number of Scottish lines it stocks and helped dozens of Scottish producers go into distribution throughout its UK branches. 

The supermarket chain has Waitrose has seven branches in Scotland – Morningside and Comely Bank in Edinburgh; Byres Road in Glasgow; Newton Mearns; Milngavie; Helensburgh; and Stirling – employing 1,200 people.

The retailer welcomed its first customers in Scotland in June 2006 with the opening of its two branches in Edinburgh and now stocks over 800 Scottish lines from more than 100 suppliers.

Producers the length and breadth of Scotland, from Orkney and the Western Isles, to Carluke, Huntly and Perthshire, have worked with Waitrose. Among the suppliers that initially supplied only Waitrose stores in Scotland and then secured UK wide listings with the supermarket are Findlaters’ Fine Foods; Mo’s Cookie Dough; Stoats and Just: Gluten Free.

Waitrose managing director Rob Collins said: “The wealth and quality of Scottish food and drink is a real source of national pride and we are equally as proud to have played a part in helping showcase its finest producers. 

“We have established long-term relationships from the outset built on a shared passion for uncompromisingly good food, putting in place the foundations for us to continue to grow our Scottish supplier base.

“To discover a new food or drink is just as exciting today as it was 10 years ago. And to see so many of them now supplying our stores across the UK is incredibly rewarding.”