UK. Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland is set to roll out Waitrose to its four upcoming Relay stores in London Heathrow Terminal 2, starting in May.
The addition of Waitrose marks the UK brand’s travel retail debut and reinforces the retailer’s own blended travel essentials and food-to-go strategy, alongside its focus on introducing premium high street brands to travel retail.
The Relay concept in Terminal 2 leverages the company’s travel essentials and dining expertise, with its Waitrose partnership adding a quality-driven offer backed by strong brand recognition.
The line-up will feature premium sandwiches, wraps, salads and fresh fruit to enhance food-to-go purchases and penetration, while reinforcing quality perception through clear, consistent Waitrose branding.
Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland Commercial Director Nicholas Dunne 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.”
Waitrose Chief Commercial Officer Charlotte Di Cello added, “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, our food-to-go offer will launch in four stores in T2 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.” ✈
