Following a deal with online giant Alibaba, Waitrose is now exporting goods to China. Available ranges include the Waitrose Baby range, the Duchy Organic range and later this year, the essential Waitrose and Waitrose 1 ranges.

Products will be sold exclusively via the Royal Mail Store on Tmall Global, operated by Alibaba Group and is China’s biggest third party online platform for brands and retailers to connect with hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers.

Research complied by Interactive Media in Retail Group in 2014 revealed that less than half of China’s 1.36 billion population uses the internet, however the number of mobile internet users has increased more than eight times in the last five years and is expected to reach 700 million this year.

Mark Williamson, Waitrose’s commercial director, said: “The potential for Waitrose in China is huge and although it's a relatively modest start it's our ambition to see it become our biggest international business in the next three to five years. We are proud that Waitrose is recognised around the world for quality and excited to be reaching new markets.”

MD, UK/Ireland & Nordics at Alibaba, Amee Chande, added: “Chinese consumers seek out high quality British brands and Alibaba is happy to provide the platform for Waitrose to introduce its products to China’s homes and kitchens. Alibaba Waitrose joins a number of leading British brands already available through the Royal Mail Store on Tmall Global and we hope that many others will follow given the potential that China offers to their business and the demand that exists for British products.”