BB90 Lewis (J)5%Pf

RNS Number:3297G
Lewis(John) PLC
17 July 2006


                 WAITROSE ANNOUNCES FURTHER 6-STORE ACQUISITION

Waitrose, the food shops of the John Lewis Partnership, today announces the
acquisition of six stores from Morrisons and a Regional Distribution Centre
(RDC) centre from Morrisons.The acquisition, which follows Waitrose's recent
expansion into Scotland, strengthens presence in its core trading regions and
expands the supermarket's distinct levels of quality fresh food and expert
service further across the UK.

The new shops are in Hexham in Northumberland; Eastbourne; Formby in Merseyside;
Parkstone in Poole, Dorset; Lymington in Hampshire; and Portswood in
Southampton, Hampshire. The 600,000sq ft RDC is in Aylesford, Kent. Each
acquired store will be converted to a Waitrose branch in a phased programme
expected to be completed by mid November 2006.

This expansion builds on the five stores acquired from Somerfield earlier this
year, a deal that took Waitrose into Scotland for the first time with the
opening of two branches in Edinburgh on 1 June. Together with a new shop opening
in Bloomsbury, London later this month, this acquisition will bring the total
number of Waitrose food shops to 182.

Following a detailed assessment, four new shops in better locations will replace
existing Waitrose branches in Southport, Westbourne, Lymington and Southampton.
In each of these cases, the move will strengthen the position of the Waitrose
brand and provide a better offer to customers. All Waitrose Partners will be
offered the opportunity to relocate to the new branch and Morrisons employees
transferring to Waitrose will be entitled to share in the unique benefits of
employee ownership, including participation in the annual John Lewis Partnership
bonus scheme.

The cost of this acquisition is not being disclosed but this, together with the
conversion costs, is fully covered by funding arrangements already in place.

Commenting on the acquisition, Steven Esom, Managing Director of Waitrose, said:

"Our strategy is to build a strong business with nationwide reach by
consolidating our position where we are already well established and by
expanding into new areas. Last month we opened our first stores in Scotland and
today's announcement gives us a better and deeper trading position in the
traditional Waitrose heartland.

We are very encouraged that the appeal for the Waitrose offer of expert service
and quality fresh food is strong and growing in both new and old territories. We
will continue to seek to bring that offer to more customers across the country."

Press enquiries:
Waitrose
Gill Smith, Corporate PR Manager                          Tel: 01344 825165
Kate van Beek, Head of Press and PR                       Tel: 07801 274695

Citigate                                                  Tel: 020 7638 9571

About Waitrose
Waitrose currently has 179 branches (excluding the 2 new branches and 4
relocations mentioned today) dedicated to offering quality fresh food, value and
customer service. Nationally, Waitrose has almost 4% share of the retail food
market. In the South of England, where it has its main presence, its market
share is 7%.

The first shop was opened in 1904, in Acton by Wallace Waite, Arthur Rose and
David Taylor. The John Lewis Partnership acquired the business in 1937 and the
first Waitrose supermarket opened in 1955.

Proposed stores being acquired:
Eastbourne, East Sussex
17,061 sq ft

Hexham, Northumberland
15,300 sq ft

Portswood, Southampton
14,130 sq ft

Formby, Merseyside
19,999 sq ft

Parkstone, Poole
22,140 sq ft

Lymington, Hampshire
21,011 sq ft



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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