Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Total sales excluding fuel were down 2.8% for Waitrose last week (to July 2).
The supermarket chain’s personnel director Helen Hyde said a year-on-year decrease was expected, as the equivalent week was one of the sunniest of 2015 and also saw significant national marketing activity to support Pick Your Own Offers.
The wet weather boosted sales of casual dining and ‘grazing’ areas in branches, which include wine and tapas bars, sushi counters and juice bars. Sales last week were 50% higher than last year.
Umbrellas and ponchos also benefited from the wet weather, with sales boosted by 150%. Across ranges, many of the top-selling foods were associated with colder weather, including roasting joints, gravy, pies and soups.
On June 30, Waitrose opened its first shop in Worcester, one of its top 10 largest shops in the UK, creating 130 (jobs following more than 1,300 job applications).
Waitrose Classic Chicken and Mushroom Pie
