Waitrose is set for a leap in sales from its web site in the next few months with managing director Mark Price predicting sales will reach £300 million.
Sales in the first half increased 40.5 per cent and that momentum is expected to continue over the festive period. Waitrose is trialing a number of projects to help secure the growth including lockers that will allow customers to pick up their shopping from outside stores using a security code sent to their mobile.
It also plans to open 'a number' of online delivery warehouses around London where pressure on stores in greatest. Its first is in Acton and its second is planned in the second half of 2014.
Price said it was possible he may open online-only 'dark stores' in other cities such as Glasgow if the pressure on the traditional in-store picking model in such areas became too great.
He said online forms a crucial part of the plan to turn Waitrose into a £15 billion retailer in the next ten years. Waitrose also has a supply contract with for Ocado's delivery service.
Price refused to be drawn on relations with Ocado in an interview with the Mail on Sunday other than to say things were 'fine'. When asked whether he would continue the contract after 2020 when it ends, he said 'who knows'.
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