Waitrose Unpacked to launch in more stores after successful trial

Waitrose is to extend its Unpacked test in Oxford beyond the original end date of 18th August. It has also committed to introducing elements of the concept into three more shops by the end of the year, after what it describes as “an overwhelmingly positive response”.

More than 200 products were taken out of their packaging at the Botley Road shop in June to cut waste. Now the initiative will be rolled out to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in September and Abingdon and Wallingford, both in Oxfordshire, in November. All three will include dispensers for dried products, frozen ‘pick and mix’, coffee, wine and beer refills, as well as Ecover detergent and washing up liquid refillables.

“The reaction to Unpacked has been incredible with the invaluable feedback from thousands of customers giving us the confidence that they are prepared to change how they shop with us,” says Head of CSR for Waitrose & Partners, Tor Harris.

“We are keen to take the Unpacked concept forward and these additional tests will help us achieve this as well as understand its commercial viability. Through working with our customers and suppliers we will continue to learn and develop ideas which have the potential to be rolled out more widely.”