20 Apr 2026
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Waitrose products will launch in four new RELAY stores in Terminal 2
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First store due to open in May 2026
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Supports Waitrose strategy to grow across shops, new locations and channels
Waitrose is expanding into airport travel retail for the first time, through a wholesale partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail, operator of the RELAY brand and an established presence in travel hubs around the world.
The partnership will see Waitrose products stocked in four RELAY stores in Heathrow Terminal 2, bringing the brand to more customers in a high-traffic location and supporting its broader growth in convenient locations and channels.
Three of the stores will be airside and one landside, with all four due to open by the end of the year. Each will offer a range of Waitrose food-to-go products tailored to passengers at Heathrow, including the brand’s much-loved No. 1 range.
The move forms part of Waitrose’s strategy to grow through additional channels alongside continued investment in its own shops and online business. Heathrow Terminal 2 serves around 20 million arriving and departing passengers a year, giving Waitrose access to a new customer base in one of the world’s busiest travel hubs.
Charlotte Di Cello, Waitrose Chief Commercial Officer, said: “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. In partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail and RELAY, our food-to-go offer will launch in four stores in Terminal 2 by the end of the year, building on the progress we’re already making in travel retail, alongside continued investment in our own shops and online offer.”
Nicholas Dunne, Commercial Director of Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland, said: “This partnership with Waitrose marks a significant step in our ambition to elevate the food-to-go experience within our blended Travel Essentials offer. By bringing one of the UK’s most trusted premium food brands to Relay at Heathrow Terminal 2, we are combining quality, convenience and strong brand recognition to better serve passengers in a fast-paced environment. The partnership demonstrates our ability to leverage our cross-business line expertise and partner with leading High Street brands to adapt their offer to the specific needs of travellers.”
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact:
Waitrose - Ruth Roycroft, [email protected] or 07792 591035
The first RELAY store featuring Waitrose products is scheduled to open in May in Heathrow Terminal 2. The upper-level airside store will be open 7 days a week from 5am to 10pm to meet the needs of time-pressed travellers looking for convenience, quality and value.
The range will include sandwiches from Waitrose’s much-loved No. 1 range, wraps, salads, sushi, snack pots and fresh fruit. Those with early departures can find baked goods such as croissants as well as granola, juices and smoothies. Relay shops will also offer Waitrose meal deals.
About Waitrose
Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, serving customers with exceptional quality products and expert service.
Part of the John Lewis Partnership - the UK’s largest employee-owned business - Waitrose has 320 shops and a strong online business. It also has agreements with brands like Welcome Break and Shell, further bolstering its local footprint.
It works closely with British farmers and suppliers, and is a market-leader for animal welfare and responsible sourcing - using sustainable farming methods, including on its very own farm, the Leckford Estate.
Waitrose has 800 specialist counters across its shops and a Beer, Wine and Spirits team that includes more Masters of Wine than any other UK supermarket. It holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles III.
About Lagardère Travel Retail
Lagardère Travel Retail, a subsidiary of Louis Hachette Group (through Lagardère group), an international group listed on Euronext Growth, is a leading global Travel Retailer, with the longest standing expertise of serving the needs of travellers and partners across Travel Essentials, Duty Free & Fashion and Dining. Lagardère Travel Retail operates over 5,000 stores in airports, railway stations and other concessions in over 50 countries, and generated € 8.0 bn in sales in 2025.
