Waitrose: 550 new jobs at Bristol distribution centre as supermarket continues expansion in the south west

Supermarket giant Waitrose is planning to hire around 550 staff to work at its new warehouse in Bristol. The chain is set to open a new distribution centre in the city in 2027 as part of an expansion in the south west.

The Avonmouth site is set to be run by logistics firm DHL, which is looking to begin recruiting in the spring, with some 480 warehouse staff and 80 drivers roles to be created.

Waitrose said the new site - hailed as the upmarket retailer’s most sustainable warehouse building - will make deliveries more efficient for the 50 existing shops in the south west, and pave the way for expansion in the future.

It boasts 1,200 solar panels on the roof and energy efficient systems, and is part of the firm’s £1 billion investment in the coming years to grow the brand and improve its 317 UK shops.

Part of the investment has involved spending on artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, including to reduce the number of manual processes for work across the supply chain, analysing what influences customer behaviour and spending patterns, such as sports events, weather changes, and promotions.

Waitrose has been increasing its share of the UK grocery market and now captures 4.7% of the market, according to the latest figures from research firm Worldpanel by Numerator. The average amount spent by shoppers on a trip to the grocer increased by 6.5% over the 12 weeks to the end of December 28, compared with the same period a year ago – outpacing gains by its competitors.

The brand, part of the John Lewis Partnership, will open its first full-size supermarket for seven years in Brabazon, a new neighbourhood in north Bristol, next year, following expansion through convenience and smaller franchise stores.