Waitrose has marked the first anniversary of its premium range, 'Waitrose 1', by starting to export it to both India and China.

The retailer now exports the range to more than 30 territories in response to high demand since it first launched in May last year. Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, the Caribbean and the UAE are among those territories now receiving the range. 

Waitrose first started exporting to China in April 2016 introducing customers there to its other sub-brands, including Waitrose Duchy Organic and essential Waitrose. Last month it became the first supermarket to export English wine to China.

Shoppers in China will now be able to add Waitrose 1 chocolates and shortbread to the growing list of products available. Waitrose 1 tea, coffee, maple syrup, pasta and olives will now be available to customers in India. More products are expected to be available to both markets in the future.

While biscuits and coffees remain the retailer's best sellers abroad, it is British favourites that are becoming increasingly popular. Waitrose 1 cheeses including, Cheddar, Red Leicester, Stilton, Caerphilly and Wensleydale as well as sausage rolls, Lincolnshire sausages and Aberdeen Angus Steak Pies are now being exported. 

The supermarket is also exporting Waitrose 1 sloe gin and mince pies to the likes of the Cayman Islands and ice cream and salted caramel profiteroles to Barbados.

Daniel Armstrong, Waitrose Business Manager, International, said:

"Waitrose 1 has quickly become one of our most in demand ranges with its quality and provenance really appealing to the international market.  We expect it to only continue gathering momentum, especially in both India and China where our products are establishing a growing reputation.”

ENDS

Waitrose 1:

• Waitrose 1 initially offered 500 products when it launched in the UK in May 2016, which quickly increased to more than 800 with seasonal additions throughout the year, making it the supermarket's biggest own brand launch since essential Waitrose in 2009.

Waitrose exports to China:

• Waitrose began exporting to China for the first time in April 2016 after reaching an agreement to sell products online.
• It was the first time the UK supermarket had exported to a country via a website platform only and has given the world's fastest growing ecommerce market access to products and ranges, including Waitrose Duchy Organic, essential Waitrose and now Waitrose 1.
• Waitrose products are sold exclusively through the Royal Mail store on Tmall Global, an online marketplace operated by Alibaba Group.
• Tmall is China's largest third party online platform for brands and retailers to connect with hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers. 

Corporate information:

• Waitrose - winner of the Best Food and Grocery Retailer category at Verdict Customer Satisfaction Awards - currently has 355 shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 65 convenience branches, and another 27 shops at Welcome Break locations. Waitrose also exports its products to 58 countries worldwide and has eight shops which operate under licence in the Middle East.