Waitrose had a royal warrant to supply groceries, wine, and spirits to Queen Elizabeth II and, as of 1 January 2011, to King Charles III.
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Waitrose had a royal warrant to supply groceries, wine, and spirits to Queen Elizabeth II and, as of 1 January 2011, to King Charles III.
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Waitrose sponsored Reading F C from 2008 to 2015, and the England cricket team for three years from 2013 to 2016.
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In March 2010, Waitrose released a series of adverts, in print, online, and on national television, featuring celebrity chefs Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal.
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In September 2009, Duchy Originals, the struggling organic food business started by Prince Charles was rescued by Waitrose, which agreed to an exclusive deal to stock the range, and to pay a small fee to his charity.
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Aware that Waitrose risked being seen as a food retailer for special occasions rather than everyday shopping, the chain launched its value range of products as "essential Waitrose" in March 2009.
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Daily Telegraph later reported that Waitrose has faced "complaints from disgruntled middle-class shoppers who claim its free coffee offer is attracting the wrong kind of customer".
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In 2010, Waitrose began a price guarantee, matching prices of 1000 items with Tesco.
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Waitrose donates a portion of its profits to a group of charities on a proportional basis, whilst individual Waitrose branches manage their own charitable donations and local decisions are made on which charities are to be supported.
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Traditionally, Waitrose branches were largely concentrated in the south-east of England and Greater London; even as recently as 2003, its northernmost English branch was in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
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Waitrose opened its 300th shop in Helensburgh on the River Clyde on 23 October 2013.
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Some Waitrose shops incorporate an in-house restaurant selling hot and cold food sourced in the main from the shop.
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Internationally, Waitrose holds a licensing agreement with Spinneys of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which operate two purpose-built branches, of which the first opened in the Dubai Mall in October 2008.
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In May 2009, Waitrose started a franchise deal with the motorway service station operator Welcome Break.
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Waitrose became the first supermarket to abolish all delivery charges as of May 2009.
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In October 2011, Waitrose opened a "Dotcom Fulfilment Centre" in Acton, West London, less than two miles from its original shop.
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Waitrose closed four convenience shops and one supermarket in the UK in 2018.
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