Waitrose Makes First Export Deal in South America

30 May 2013 --- Waitrose has announced its first export deal in mainland South America which will see the supermarket supplying groceries to shops in Chile from July.

Under the agreement, Waitrose will initially supply more than 40 products to over 100 shops in the Unimarc supermarket group – one of Chile’s largest supermarket chain.

Foods being shipped to the South American country include European products, such as penne pasta, mayonnaise with extra virgin olive oil and stuffed olives.

English favourites Earl Grey Tea and English Breakfast tea will also be on offer to South American customers, as well as indulgent treats like cookies and truffles. Around half the items being supplied to Chile will be from the essential Waitrose range with the healthy eating Love Life You Count range is also represented.

The latest export deal means that Waitrose now has a presence in 46 countries outside the UK and in five continents. (Asia, Australasia, North America, South America and Europe.)

During the year ending January 2013, international sales jumped 20 per cent year on year.

David Morton, Waitrose Business to Business Director, said: “South America, in particular Chile, has a growing economy and we were approached by Unimarc to help meet the demand for more cosmopolitan flavours among their customers. The products have all been handpicked and tested by buyers at Unimarc and we’re really looking forward to seeing how they are received by customers,”

“The past year has seen a huge expansion of our presence around the world, and we are always on the look out for potential partners to help grow our global appeal further. Wherever we sell our products overseas, we find that the best-sellers are food and drink associated with Britain such as tea and biscuits.”

In the past 12 months Waitrose has rapidly grown its export business, with products now available in South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Gibraltar, Trinidad and Ibiza for the first time4.

This week, Waitrose has also launched a range of its sandwiches, snacks and ready meals in the Standard Class buffet cars on all Eurostar services, in its first major move into on-board food. This move is also the supermarket’s first significant move into Northern Europe, as part of its ambition to expand its export activities.

Waitrose first started exporting products in 1996 and now has a presence in 46 countries worldwide including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Barbados, Falkland Islands, New Zealand, Barbados and India. It operates five branches in the Channel Islands, and has nine shops in the Middle East in partnership with Fine Fare Food Market LLC.