Waitrose to acquire five stores in Channel Islands
WAITROSE is buying five supermarkets in the Channel Islands.
Local chain Sandpiper CI has sold the stores to the UK supermarket giant.
The deal is subject to the approval of the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority.
It is not expected to complete before the end of October.
It will include the three Checkers supermarkets in Jersey and Admiral and two in Guernsey.
The stores will continue to be run by Sandpiper CI until the end of January next year and will then be handed over to Waitrose over a six-week period.
Waitrose intends to offer employment to all staff in the five stores.
Details on how much the deal has cost – have not been disclosed. Sandpiper CI will continue to operate its 28 other food and drink stores under its own Checkers Xpress/Island Shopper and Wine Warehouse brands. Waitrose managing director Mark Price said: “People in the Channel Islands have been telling us for years that they want a Waitrose. Our supply relationship with Sandpiper CI shows there’s strong demand for Waitrose quality food.”