Waitrose & Partners is a British supermarket chain, founded in 1904 as Waite, Rose & Taylor, later shortened to Waitrose. In 1937, it was acquired by the John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s largest employee-owned business, which continues to operate the brand. The company’s head offices are in Bracknell, Berkshire.
As of April 2023, Waitrose & Partners operates 329 shops across Great Britain and the Channel Islands, including 65 “little Waitrose” convenience shops. They also export products to 52 countries and have locations in the Middle East.
Known for its “upmarket” reputation, as described by The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian, Waitrose has been positioned as a premium supermarket. However, former managing director Mark Price has noted that its prices are competitive with those of Tesco, a mid-market chain. The company holds a royal warrant to supply groceries, wine, and spirits to King Charles III.
