Waitrose defied the economic gloom to grow sales by 20% in Christmas week as its parent company John Lewis posted a record-breaking £500m in sales during the five weeks to 2 January 2010.
The unprecedented low interest rates and lower-than-expected unemployment encouraged consumer spending over the festive season.
However, the trading figures are flattered by comparisons with the worst depths of the recession a year earlier and tax hikes could put a break on growth in 2010.
Waitrose’s performance raises the bar for Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s, which report on their Christmas trading later this week.
