Waitrose will enter airport retail for the first time in May 2026 through a wholesale partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail, supplying products to four RELAY stores at Heathrow Terminal 2.

The rollout will include three airside outlets and one landside location, with all four expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The first store is scheduled to open next month, marking a new distribution channel for the supermarket beyond its core estate and online operations.

The product range will focus on food-to-go aimed at travellers, including items from Waitrose’s premium No. 1 line. Heathrow Terminal 2 handles around 20 million passengers annually, providing access to a large, transient customer base in one of the UK’s busiest travel hubs.

Charlotte Di Cello, chief commercial officer at Waitrose, said the move represents a strategic expansion into high-footfall locations. “Launching at Heathrow marks our first move into airport retail and an important step in growing our brand by bringing our offer to more customers in high-traffic locations,” she said, adding that the initiative builds on existing progress in travel retail while maintaining investment in stores and online services.

Lagardère Travel Retail views the partnership as a way to strengthen its convenience offer within airports. Nicholas Dunne, commercial director for the UK and Ireland, said the collaboration would enhance its food proposition. “This partnership with Waitrose marks a significant step in our ambition to elevate the food-to-go experience within our blended Travel Essentials offer,” he said, citing the combination of brand recognition and convenience for passengers.

The agreement aligns with Waitrose’s broader strategy to expand through new formats and channels while continuing to invest in its existing network. The retailer has also outlined plans to open new shops, expand its motorway partnership and refurbish 30 stores in 2026 as part of a £1 billion investment programme to strengthen its physical retail presence.

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