Waitrose announced plans to invest £10m over the next three years as part of its push towards improving ready meals, beginning this week with 29 new No.1 dishes and over 30 refreshed recipes.

This comes after the success of the retailer’s range, with sales of ready meals increasing by 8 per cent year-on-year, which rose to 11 per cent across its premium ranges.

The move reflects the role which ready meals play as an essential dinner at home as well as a convenient mealtime option for shoppers with a busy lifestyle.

Charlotte Di Cello, chief commercial officer at Waitrose, said: “Customers shop with us because they trust our commitment to taste, however they choose to dine. A night off from cooking shouldn’t mean compromising on quality and taste.

“This investment is a step-change in our fresh ready meals, with authentic ingredients and cooking methods, new recipes and the flavours that make dinner at home feel special.”

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Additionally, Waitrose launched a 21-product Indian and Southeast Asian Food Lovers’ takeaway range which spans across mains, sides and snacks. This £18 meal deal will enable customers to choose between two mains and two sides, serving four customers.

According to the business, the range was developed by chefs drawing on regional expertise, and the line includes dishes such as Chicken Chettinad, Prawn Panang, Shanghai Beef, Jewelled Pilau Rice and King Prawn Toast.

The retailer also upgraded its existing Indian ready meals and added more protein and moved toward simpler, cleaner ingredients.

The Indian ready meals also exclusively use only natural colourants such as paprika and saffron as part of the company’s commitment to delivering healthy, quality foods.

The new range aims to offer premium, restaurant-style dishes at home and spans across Italian, Indian and Southeast Asian food, dine-in dishes and vegetable sides.