Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Total sales excluding fuel, for Waitrose last week (to Saturday July 15) were 2% higher than the year-ago period.
The supermarket chain’s commercial director Rupert Thomas said fresh produce was popular with customers, with sales of raspberries having their ‘biggest ever week’.
The retailer’s own brand ‘essential Waitrose’ raspberries saw sales grow by 52%, boosting overall raspberry sales by 32%.
British cherry sales continued to blossom, with sales up 61% following Waitrose’s new TV advertising campaign focused on the fruit.
The push highlights how Waitrose is the only supermarket to ensure all its British fresh fruit and vegetable growers are LEAF marque certified.
Beers, wines and spirits continued to sell well too, with overall sales up nearly 10%.
Meanwhile gin – which has overtaken sales of all other spirits at Waitrose – was up 46% compared with last year, along with mixers, which saw sales rise by 48%.
