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Waitrose Unveils First Food Shop in Bahrain - Retailer builds its presence in the Middle East

Waitrose

1 June 2010

The 22,000 sqft shop will open through a partnership with Fine Fare Food Market LLC (FFFM) at The Lagoon, a new complex on Amwaj Island on the North East coast of the country. The partnership with FFFM has already seen Waitroseopen two successful shops in the Middle East, in Dubai during 2008.The Lagoon will contain retail, leisure and commercial facilities and will serve the residential properties that have been developed in the area in recent years, as well as visitors from the nearby capital, Manama, and from across Bahrain. The new store will employ around 70 staff and FFFM will run its daily operation. They will focus on delivering the high levels of customer service and fabulous food that shoppers expect from the Waitrose brand. The shop will embrace the ambience of Waitrose while catering for the specific needs of the local communities. It will offer a wide range of fresh foods and groceries as well as dedicated delicatessen, meat, fish and cheese counters. Mark Price, Waitrose Managing Director, comments: "Our shops in Dubai have achieved a very strong sales performance and have been warmly received by our customers there, we are delighted to be expanding our presence in the region. The Lagoon is a very exciting development and is the perfect location for us to open our first shop in Bahrain."Our strategic partnership with Fine Fare Food Market LLC is integral to our expansion and success in the Middle East - we share the same values and high standards when it comes to quality food and service. We’re currently working together to find more suitable locations in the region, with the aim of opening more shops in the Middle East."The two Waitrose stores in Dubai stores have been performing above expectations, despite the economic difficulties being experienced in the region.