Waitrose Limited operates about 225 Waitrose supermarkets in London, southern England, the Midlands, East Anglia, Wales, and Scotland.

Founded in 1904 by Wallace Wait and Arthur Rose, it was acquired in 1937 by John Lewis Partnership, one of the UK's largest retailers. The grocer plans to dramatically increase its retail presence in the UK, and beyond, through a move into the convenience store market and the development of new store formats and partnerships with other retailers.

Outside the food aisle, Waitrose plans to strengthen its non-food offering of clothing and housewares in its Food & Home store. A partnership with Internet grocer Ocado delivers Waitrose groceries to homes in Greater London, Hertfordshire, Kent, the Midlands, Surrey, North West, and now the South Coast.