The first ever Waitrose stores will open overseas next year under an unprecedented licensing agreement between Britain’s sixth-biggest supermarket chain and Spinneys, a Dubai-based rival.
Under the deal, Spinneys will open 20 stores under the Waitrose brand in the United Arab Emirates by 2010. The first is expected to be unveiled in a suburb of Dubai in April.
Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership, said the “significant milestone” was the first major step to building an international business worth potentially £800 million-a-year to the group.
The supermarket chain has also been in contact with potential franchise partners in South Africa and India and is believed to be close to signing a deal to export Waitrose-branded products to the US.
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