| Newbury’s new Waitrose store has been trading strongly since opening in May, the company said this week.
Overall food sales at Waitrose were up 6.4 per cent in the six months to June, in which the firm ended its long wait to start trading in the town.
Waitrose sales rose to £1.4 billion, and now accounts for more than half of sales at John Lewis Partnership.
The £5 million Newbury store opened in May, sparking a flurry of activity from rivals. Marks and Spencer revamped its food hall, Tescos has expanded, and Sainsbury is in the process of adding another third to its floorspace, with a multi-storey car park off Kings Road.
JLP chairman Sir Stuart Hampson said all staff would benefit from higher dividends.
He told colleagues: “It’s a half-year when we’ve shown we can keep up the progress on change and also move profits ahead - something to which all Partners have contributed and something for all Partners to celebrate.”
www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk | 
