‘Upmarket’ UK store opens

Leading British food retailer Waitrose opened its first outlet in Bahrain at The Lagoon to a flurry of excited Amwaj Island residents as well as visitors from all over the kingdom.

Managed by Dubai-based Fine Fare Food Market (FFFM), the store is the third outside of the UK with two stores already operating in UAE. FFFM will manage the store in Bahrain through its local operating company Supa Save Bahrain.

David Morton, Waitrose’s director of international development, said: “We are hoping that the product range, layout and services will attract people from all over the island. It is definitely one of our most stunning locations and once the area around is developed it will be wonderful.

“We are very excited. We would like to open more stores and are working with our local partners in seeking new locations.”

The store offers an assortment of Waitrose-branded products as well as locally-sourced items. It also offers fresh and frozen foods, a bakery, delicatessen, cheese, fish, meat, patisserie and hot food counters.

Brianne Foster, 30, a resident of Amwaj Islands, visited the store with her 18-month old daughter Aubrey on the day of its official launch last week. She said: “We have been here for four months and I had been waiting for Waitrose to open.

“I had been searching for a particular brand of baby food ever since we moved here from the US and this supermarket has them!

“We loved the brand and I used to have family send it over from the States but we won’t need that anymore!” 

Friends and Tala residents Karena Ralph and Becky Swift had also been patiently waiting for the store to open. Mrs Ralph said: “The salads are unique to Waitrose – we have seen similar counters in the UK. We are glad the store is open now because we used to have to drive all the way to Bahrain City Centre to go shopping.”

The venue will only sell certified halal food in the main store arena as well as a selected range of John Lewis home-ware.

Patrick Lawrence, property manager of FFFM said: “The Lagoon is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and innovative retail developments in the region and we are delighted to be represented there.

“The store has been designed to embrace the ambience of Waitrose while catering for the specific needs of the local communities.

“The Lagoon is set to become the ultimate lifestyle destination for residents and visitors alike with Waitrose as the ultimate food destination.”

Fahad Rafeah, general manager of The Lagoon Bahrain, added: “We are delighted to have Waitrose at The Lagoon Bahrain. Bahrain residents generally, and Amwaj residents specifically, will have a gourmet store catering to their needs”.

Waitrose currently employs more than 44,400 people and operates 243 branches throughout the UK and is considered an ‘upmarket’ destination by consumers.

 Editor’s note: Eagle-eyed consumer reporter Shilpa Chandran spotted a limited number of Waitrose products on the shelves in Jawad Dome Supermarket in Barbar.