Waitrose & Partners has announced the launch of its first overseas website, Waitrose.ae, which will allow customers in the United Arab Emirates to access the retailer’s e-commerce services.
The website will offer more than 15,000 grocery products with over 2,800 delivery slots each week for customers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Shoppers will be able to order products online and avail of home delivery services, with the option of same-day delivery.
The retailer will also offer shoppers the option to amend their shopping lists up to two hours before the scheduled delivery slot.
'Quality And Inspiration'
Sarah Burton, business manager of commercial sales at Waitrose, commented, “Our e-commerce service has grown significantly in the UK and we are very excited to work with our partners in Fine Fare Foods Limited to extend this to our customers in the United Arab Emirates.
“It brings an even more convenient way for our customers in the UAE to shop Waitrose products, and we are proud to bring the same quality and inspiration customers find in our shops, to our website."
The retailer has added 12 delivery vans and created 14 new jobs for drivers in the UAE for the e-commerce service.
Waitrose added that online orders will be picked and processed in two of its 12 shops across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
'An Easy Way To Shop'
Sunil Kumar, CEO of Fine Fare Foods, said, “Our new website adds online capability, meaning we can reach even more customers in the UAE, while also supporting the local community during these uncertain times with an easy way to shop.
"As the pace of online shopping continues to accelerate, listening to our customers’ demands and reflecting the service, quality and the choice of our supermarkets has never been more crucial. We are committed to delivering the best quality food and drink sourced in the most responsible way right to our customers’ doorsteps.”
The website launch follows the opening of Waitrose’s sixth store in Dubai last month.
The retailer plans to open two more stores in the city, in Jumeirah Golf Estates and Meadows Fountain’s View, by the end of this year.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
