Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Total sales excluding fuel for Waitrose last week (to Saturday February 18) were 7% higher than last year.
The supermarket chain’s IT director Mike Sackman said this result was influenced in part by Valentine’s Day (February 14) falling on a Tuesday this year compared with Sunday in the corresponding trading week in 2016.
Traditional Valentine’s gifts enjoyed a buoyant week, with confectionery sales up 36% and flower sales up 78%. Sparkling wine sales rose 83%.
Away from Valentine’s indulgence, there were some strong sales of fruit. Sales of cherries were up 90%, melons rose by 24% and blueberries saw an uplift of 16%.
