Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Total divisional sales excluding fuel were up 10.9% at Waitrose for the week ending April 9.
Rupert Thomas, marketing director of the supermarket chain, said figures were distorted due to the later fall of Easter in 2015; sales for the equivalent post-Easter week last year are up 2%.
He commented: “With Spring well underway, customers are enjoying the abundance of British fruit and veg reaching shelves, with vegetables up 5% compared with the equivalent week post-Easter last year.”
The week saw British asparagus become the latest home grown vegetable to become available in Waitrose shops. It seems asparagus lovers are already planning their summer dishes, with searches on Waitrose.com for ‘how to prepare asparagus’ up 21% year-on-year.
Searches for asparagus recipes on Waitrose.com are on the rise too, with Salmon and Asparagus Couscous with Lemon and Mint up 66%, Chargrilled Asparagus Pasta up 75% and Creamy Asparagus and Pea Risotto up 36%.
Fruit also performed well in the week, with citrus up 4% and stone fruit up 13%.
Rupert Thomas added: “Customers are also looking at bringing Spring into their homes with flowers up 18% compared with the post-Easter week of 2015.” Sales were driven by seasonal flowers, up 28%.
