Waitrose has confirmed plans to open its first-ever distribution centre in the South West of England, a move set to generate more than 550 new jobs and significantly strengthen the retailer’s regional supply chain. The new 360,000 sq ft facility will be located in Avonmouth, Bristol, and is scheduled to become operational in early 2027.
The site will be operated by logistics partner DHL Supply Chain and is expected to become Waitrose’s most environmentally advanced distribution centre to date. Recruitment will begin in spring, with DHL seeking to hire approximately 480 warehouse colleagues and 80 drivers ahead of the opening.
The Bristol development forms a key part of Waitrose’s long-term transformation of its supply chain, supported by a multi-year £1 billion investment programme across the business. This wider investment includes upgrades to all 317 Waitrose stores, reinforcing the retailer’s ambition to position itself as the leading destination for quality food in the UK.
Central to the new distribution centre will be the introduction of market-leading technology. Waitrose has invested heavily in advanced systems, including AI-driven customer demand forecasting, designed to maintain its industry-leading product availability while also simplifying processes for colleagues by reducing manual tasks across the supply chain.
Once operational, the Avonmouth site will improve delivery efficiency for around 50 existing Waitrose shops across the South West, while also providing capacity to support future store expansion in the region. The retailer has already strengthened its presence locally, opening a new store at The Arches in Bristol last year, with a full-line supermarket planned for the upcoming Brabazon development.
Alison Maffin, Supply Chain Director at Waitrose, said the new distribution centre represents a crucial step in supporting the retailer’s growth ambitions. She noted that the facility will enhance service levels for customers while creating hundreds of new roles in a modern, purpose-built environment. She added that DHL’s shared commitment to sustainability made the partnership a natural fit for the next stage of Waitrose’s expansion.
Sustainability has been embedded into the design of the building, which features more than 1,200 solar panels, energy-efficient systems, extensive natural daylight, landscaped outdoor spaces and a roof terrace. The site has achieved a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, placing it among the top-performing non-domestic buildings in the UK for environmental standards.
Waitrose estimates that the new centre will reduce annual supply chain mileage emissions by approximately 2,225 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to removing more than 1,500 vehicles from UK roads each year. In addition, delivery vehicles will refuel at the world’s largest biomethane refuelling station, located directly opposite the warehouse.
Martin Willmor, CEO of DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, said the project highlights a shared focus on reducing emissions while delivering operational excellence. He added that the new Bristol site would support local employment and set a benchmark for sustainable logistics in the grocery sector.
Job vacancies will be advertised via the DHL careers website once recruitment begins.