Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Total sales excluding fuel for Waitrose last week (to Saturday May 12) were up 3.8% on last year, as warmer weather influenced customers’ purchases.
The supermarket chain’s personnel director Jo Walmsley said: “The week saw our biggest sales of ice cream this year, up 55% compared with the same week in 2017.
“Barbecue meat sales continue to build too – up 28% – with Waitrose Aberdeen Angus Beef Burgers (up 147%), essential Waitrose Beef Burgers (up 71%) and essential Waitrose Lamb Burgers (up (179%) among the stand out performers.”
Prepared salads sales increased by more than 22%, tomatoes were up by more than 16% and avocados by more than 14%.
Fruit sales also had “an outstanding week” with strawberries sales up 38%, melons up 26%, mangoes up 41% and figs up 138%. Lemons and limes were also up by 22% and 38% respectively.
The retailer’s ‘beautifully simple’ campaign (featuring easy-to-make recipes using ingredients available in-store) helped drive sales as well. Last week’s featured recipe for stuffed sea bass, chorizo, potatoes and peas saw sales of Charlotte potatoes grow by 54%, Cooks’ Ingredients Chorizo sales increase by 116% and pre-packed fish sales rise by 11%.
Strawberries sales were up 38% at Waitrose last week
