Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Waitrose’s total divisional sales, excluding fuel, were up by 2.2% last week (to October 1) compared with the same week last year.
The supermarket chain’s marketing director Rupert Thomas said the performance was achieved “despite tough comparatives due to the later fall of our Half Price Event in 2015”.
He continued: ¨Customers enjoyed the last rays of late summer sun, with food and drink more usually associated with earlier in the year.” Sales of wine rose by 15% during the week, with Waitrose Prosecco, Cava and Pinot Grigio among the best sellers. Sales of gin fizzed up 16% and frozen dessert sales jumped by 17%.
The end of September also marked the finish of the Soil Association’s organic month, which Waitrose supported as its Organic Retailer of the Year. Sales of Waitrose Duchy Organic meat and fish were up 17% last week and within that, pre-packed beef was up 28% and service counter fish was up 46%.
During the week Waitrose also opened a convenience store in the Kent village of Hawkhurst.
