British quality grocer Waitrose & Partners launched its first e-commerce platform outside of the UK, as the supermarket chain responds to the massive surge in demand for online grocery shopping in the UAE. The user-friendly, one-stop-shop is home to an extensive range of over 15,000 responsibly-sourced, quality food and drinks designed to meet the needs of customers who want to shop for their groceries online.
Renowned for combining the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop, the brand’s new e-commerce platform comes at a time when Covid-19 has accelerated consumer adoption of online shopping. According to a report by Ken Research, the pandemic has prompted 79% of consumers in the UAE to change their shopping habits from offline to online. By the end of 2025, the research group expects online grocery delivery penetration in the total UAE grocery market to increase by 25%.
Sunil Kumar, CEO of Fine Fare Foods, which runs Waitrose & Partners UAE, 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, safe way to shop. As the pace of online shopping continues to accelerate, listening to our customers’ demands and reflecting the service, quality and 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”.
In addition to ‘the weekly shop’, the Waitrose & Partners UAE website is the go-to for seasonal recipes, cookery tips and meal inspiration. The ‘add to basket’ feature, means customers can shop recipes in a single click and cook up their favourite meals in the comfort of their home. With a team of professionals handpicking, packing and delivering the goods with care, Waitrose & Partners is committed to going above and beyond to share its knowledge and passion for quality food and drinks with the people who matter most – its customers.
Dedicated to sourcing locally wherever possible, shoppers can stock up on a variety of delicious produce from the UAE, including fresh fruit and vegetables, organic salmon and free-range eggs. Customers can also shop Waitrose & Partners’ own brands, such as its No.1 premium range, developed with specialist suppliers to ensure the finest ingredients are used to create delectable quality food. The Essential Waitrose range is the perfect go-to for everyday products, and the Waitrose Vegan section features flavour-packed products, including meals for a quick and easy lunch and staple vegan must-haves.
The service will offer over 2,800 delivery slots each week, with a choice of three delivery time slots per day, reaching more than 1,500 homes across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Orders can be booked up to two hours before the delivery time, and the minimum order spend is AED 100, while orders over AED 350 are free of a delivery charge. For orders below AED 350, there is a flat rate fee of AED15 per delivery. The Waitrose & Partners UAE App is also available to download for those who want to shop from their phones.
