Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
With last week (to May 17) seeing some of the warmest weather so far this year, sales at grocery chain Waitrose continued strongly with total sales (excluding petrol) up 7% on last year.
Waitrose supply chain director David Jones said the warm spell saw a sharp rise in products associated with sunny weather as customers relaxed outdoors. Many dined alfresco with barbecue meats up by 107%. Wild salmon sales were also a favourite with demand leaping 100%.
Fresh fruit also did well, with demand for strawberries up 90% and 30% more peaches and nectarines sold than the same week last year.
Despite the heat, customers were keeping cool. Soft drinks sales were up 57%, while ice cream saw a 33% rise. Ice cubes saw an 80% uplift on the same time last year.
Demand for beers was up by 25% on last year, with the increasing trend for world beers causing a 65% uplift in this range.
The relaunched Waitrose Cellar wines website also enjoyed a successful first week, with sales up 52% compared to last year. Sales on Waitrose.com were also up by 51.8% year on year.
