Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Promotions and sunny weather during last week (to August 20) drove Waitrose’s total divisional sales – excluding fuel – up by 4.7%, compared with the same week last year.
The supermarket chain’s finance director Loraine Woodhouse said: “‘Food to go’ sales performed strongly, up 10.5%, with hot takeaway options soaring by 20% and single serve drinks rising by 21%.
“The summer sunshine and the sporting spectacles in Rio have been inspiring people to head outdoors, with outdoor living up 24% and sun creams up 37%.
“Fresh produce continued to show strong sales, up 9.6%, as customers picked up British seasonal fruit and vegetables such as sweetcorn (+6%) and cherries (+36%).
“Elsewhere, promotions for wines and spirits, as well as strong sales for beers and ciders, helped drive sales of the beers, wines and spirits category up by 11.5%.”
