Waitrose has opened its first “Home of Food Lovers” concept store, as a test bed for new formats, services and technology as part of its £1bn investment programme.
The Newbury site features a five metre “cheese island,” expanded and modernised counters with a new “meal maker” service, an expanded in-store bakery, and a revitalised fruit and veg department. Additionally, it features 10 new brand partnerships, a “food lovers hub,” a delicatessen counter, a fine and rare wine section, and a new Waite & Rose café.
Waitrose noted that electronic shelf labels and new hand held devices used to check stock and answer customer queries were being rolled out to all of its shops. Shelf-edge cameras to help partners spot stock gaps faster are also being tested in Newbury and in six other stores.
Additionally, partners at the Newbury store will be the first to trial an AI app created by Waitrose, which gives them up-to-date product information. Responding to either text or voice requests, the app will give partners answers on product availability and location, nutrition and sustainability, as well as cooking and recipe recommendations.
Source:
Waitrose launches first 'home of food lovers' concept store - Retail Gazette
The Newbury site features a five metre “cheese island,” expanded and modernised counters with a new “meal maker” service, an expanded in-store bakery, and a revitalised fruit and veg department. Additionally, it features 10 new brand partnerships, a “food lovers hub,” a delicatessen counter, a fine and rare wine section, and a new Waite & Rose café.
Waitrose noted that electronic shelf labels and new hand held devices used to check stock and answer customer queries were being rolled out to all of its shops. Shelf-edge cameras to help partners spot stock gaps faster are also being tested in Newbury and in six other stores.
Additionally, partners at the Newbury store will be the first to trial an AI app created by Waitrose, which gives them up-to-date product information. Responding to either text or voice requests, the app will give partners answers on product availability and location, nutrition and sustainability, as well as cooking and recipe recommendations.
Source:
Waitrose launches first 'home of food lovers' concept store - Retail Gazette
