Dec. 31 - Waitrose, food shops of the John Lewis Partnership, today announces that it will license the 'Waitrose' brand to Spinneys Dubai LLC (Spinneys).
In a first for Waitrose, the licensing agreement with Spinneys will lead to selected stores carrying the Waitrose fascia in Dubai. Spinneys has been selling a wide range of Waitrose quality own label products in the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and neighbouring Oman, since 2004.
From April 2008, the first Spinney's store to operate with a Waitrose fascia will be a 25,000 square foot supermarket in a suburb of Dubai, populated by British and other European families. Two further purpose built Waitrose branches will open in July and October 2008 respectively, one situated adjacent to the Dubai Marina and the other at the new Burj Dubai Mall*, currently under construction.
In the following two years, a planned additional 20 Spinneys stores will convert to trade as Waitrose.
Waitrose has a thriving Export business selling a range of quality own label ambient products to over 20 international customers. Richard Hodgson, Commercial Director for Waitrose says of the deal, 'This agreement is set to accelerate export trade for Waitrose and marks a significant milestone in our international ambitions. Spinneys, a retail operator that shares many of the Waitrose trading principles and with whom we have enjoyed a successful three-year trading relationship, was the obvious choice for our first licensing deal. Their exacting standards and strong senior management team makes them the ideal Partner for Waitrose.'
Spinneys is differentiated from its competitors by high levels of customer service, store standards and innovative, quality product ranges. Waitrose own label products have become increasingly popular with Spinneys customers, who include both expatriate and Arab sections of society.
*Expected to be the biggest, most luxurious mall in the world.
About Waitrose
Waitrose has 187 branches across Britain, combining the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop.
Over 800 Waitrose own label grocery, non-food, frozen and chilled products currently retail at 20 Spinneys stores in the UAE and at four Spinneys stores in Oman.
Waitrose exports own label products to over 20 overseas customers, primarily in Europe, the Far East, Middle East and the Caribbean. The products are retailed by established supermarkets with high quality store and customer service standards.
Waitrose products can be found across the globe in the following markets:
Far East: Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia.
Middle East: Bahrain, UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan.
Europe: Greece, Channel Isles (Jersey and Guernsey), Isle of Man, Cyprus, Spain, Tenerife.
Caribbean: Cayman Islands, West Indies (Barbados, Grenada, Tortola, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maartens, Trinidad), Bermuda.
Other: India, Falklands.
About Spinneys
With a chain of 40 supermarkets (ranging in size from 10,000 to 30,000 square feet) in the United Arab Emirates and in neighbouring Oman, Spinneys has operated in Dubai for over 40 years and is owned by Albwardly Investments.
Albwardly Investments is a private company with interests in wholesale food, insurance and real estate.