Celebratory mood for Waitrose as warm spell continues

Total sales for the week to July 20 (excluding petrol) were 14.3% higher than last year at supermarket chain Waitrose.

Many ranges enjoyed their biggest ever week of sales, showing the extent to which warm-weather lines continue to drive business performance. These include the grocery multiple’s ice creams, barbecue meats, sushi selection and ‘Food to Go’ salads.

Waitrose finance director Tom Athron said: “There also continues to be a distinctly celebratory mood to sales, with sparkling wine sales up by 73% and ‘ready to serve’ drinks such as cans of gin and tonic up by 106%.”

But people are also making sure they stay hydrated in the warm weather, with sales of fruit juice growing by 35%. Top sellers for the week included small single-serve bottles of juice while juice lollies saw sales increase by 353% for the week.

Food choices were led by outdoor dining and barbecue trends; Waitrose enjoyed its biggest ever week of barbecue meat sales.

Tom noted: “Customers are clearly spending a lot of time in the garden, with our range of outside cutlery, plates and accessories growing at 146% and outdoor plant sales more than four times the usual rate.

“And many people have been making the most of the first of the British cherries to arrive in shops. The summer favourite is being snapped up, with sales growing by 83%.”