Outdoor cooking and dining sales surge at Waitrose

Waitrose’s total sales – excluding fuel – for last week (to August 13) were 1.2% higher than last year, with the sunny weekend prompting strong sales of food and drink suitable for the warm weather.

Among the top sellers were salads, for which sales were up 10% for the week, ice creams, which saw a 17% lift, and rosé wines, which rose 26%.

Rupert Thomas, marketing director of the supermarket chain, said: “Many chose to cook outside, pushing sales of barbecue coal and fuel up by 32%, barbecue meats and burger buns by 20%, and corn on the cobs by 6%.

“Our range of beers saw a 16% boost, and our outdoor dining range – including plastic plates and glasses – was up by 38% for the week.”