Waitrose set to open first supermarket in Bahrain

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WAITING GAME: Waitrose is set to open its first store in Bahrain next year.

UK-based quality retailer Waitrose will open its first outlet in Bahrain next year, it has announced.

The high-end supermarket, owned by British retailer John Lewis will open at the $800 million Villamar @ the Harbour, a flagship project of Gulf Holding Company (GHC).

Walid Saarti, chief operating officer - Gulf Management & Services said the supermarket chain has signed an initial agreement to occupy 837 sq m.

"We are delighted that an organisation with such an impressive lineage will commence its Bahrain operations from our precincts," he said.

Founded in 1904, Waitrose has more than 198 branches across the UK and plans to expand its operations in the Middle East by opening around 20 supermarkets across the UAE and Gulf by 2010.

Most recently, it opened a supermarket at the Marina Mall in Dubai in December and also has a presence at The Dubai Mall.

The Villamar @ the Harbour project is being developed on the lines of Rocky Ridge Town Centre in California.

The centre comprises three zones which includes the shopping centre, retail shops, supermarket, pharmacy, coffee shops and restaurants surrounded by a transparent glass arcade that can be opened or closed, depending on the island weather.

Spread across 35,900 sq m, Villamar @ the Harbour is Bahrain Financial Harbour’s luxury residential component. It is scheduled for completion during the second half of 2010.

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