Supermarket chain Waitrose is to become the first major UK retailer to open a completely cashless store.
The 1,400sqft Little Waitrose store – the second smallest store for the retailer – will open in broadcasting company Sky’s new flagship head office in Osterley, London in the summer and is expected to serve more than 3,500 staff on the premises. There will be 20 jobs created for Waitrose staff.
Those working at Sky’s head office will only have the option of paying by card or mobile device at one of five self-service checkouts in-store. Aside from food products, the store will stock a mini health and beauty range for those needing to travel at late notice or choosing to take advantage of the on-site gym, the retailer explained.
Jackie Wharton, Waitrose Director, Convenience, said: “Opening on the Sky campus is an exciting opportunity for us to respond to how customers wish to shop in this flagship workplace setting. Our convenience model is now more flexible than ever, especially as payment methods and ranges continue to evolve, so we'll look forward to exploring other opportunities like this in the future.”
Waitrose’s only other office-based store was opened in 1998 at British Airways’ Waterside HQ in Harmondsworth.