Upmarket grocery chains Waitrose and Marks & Spencer have both signalled an acceleration in new store openings in the final month of 2024, with major plans for next year.

Waitrose has opened its first new store in six years in Hampton Hill, south-west London, and has announced a further push into the convenience market through partnerships with services and forecourt operators Welcome Break and Shell.

The convenience store is the 47th Waitrose-operated convenience shop. The company said its focus on further store openings will initially be on smaller convenience stores of 3K SF, while it has also confirmed it is looking at opportunities for larger convenience stores of around 6K SF.

Earlier this year, Waitrose said it was set to open 100 convenience stores over the next three years as part of a £1B investment in new stores and refurbishments. Waitrose already has more than 300 shops around the UK.

The supermarket chain is also to target more new locations under its franchise with motorway services operator Welcome Break, with stores to open on the A14 in Spaldwick, Cambridgeshire, and on the M1 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in January. A third location is set to open in 2025.

Waitrose has partnered with Welcome Break since 2009 and trades Little Waitrose from 27 of its motorway service areas. The new stores will be the first openings with Welcome Break in 11 years.

Additionally, Waitrose now has more than 100 Shell forecourt shops it supplies in the UK, with plans to add more locations in 2025.

Meanwhile, rival Marks & Spencer has opened its first clothing-only store in London’s Battersea Power Station.

The 8,400 SF store stocks the retailer’s womenswear and menswear ranges, with dedicated areas for brands including Jaeger, Autograph and Rosie. It also offers a small beauty range, plus click-and-collect services.

The store forms part of a £30M investment pledge for M&S London stores this financial year, with plans including two new food halls and the refurbishment of 12 existing stores across the capital, including Blackheath, Chancery Lane, Islington and Teddington.