Waitrose was boosted by the late arrival of warm weather, with sales growing by 13.6% in the week to 28 July, according to the supermarket’s latest sales figures.
The supermarket said trade was “positively impacted by the hot weather for much of the country, which meant outside gatherings and celebrations over the weekend, and particularly strong sales of anything that can be enjoyed chilled in the garden”.
Sparkling wine sales were 75% higher than last year, rosé wine sales were up 91%, Pimm’s up 116%, beer up 21% and cider up 49%. Fizzy soft drinks sales were up 32% and squash sales were 33% up on last year.
Waitrose also had its “biggest-ever” week of ice-cream sales, with sales 55% higher. Top-selling ice-creams included essential Waitrose rocket lollies, which saw sales increase by 127%.
Many gathered for barbecues and alfresco celebrations, with barbecue meat sales 78% up on last year, salad sales 48% higher and quiche sales 41% higher.
The Waitrose Food to Go range saw sales grow by 26% as shoppers picked up something to eat on the go or on the way to an event. This effect has been markedly increased in Waitrose’s Stratford branch in east London, which saw sandwiches and snack sales double over the weekend.
Source: Waitrose
