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03 August 2012 10:32
Waitrose has seen its performance boosted by the late arrival of warm weather, with sales growing by 13.6% in the week to 28th July, according to the supermarket's latest sales figures.
Waitrose said that 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".
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. Sparkling wine sales were 75% higher than last year, rosé wine sales were up 91%, sales of Pimm's were 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%.
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 significantly increased in Waitrose's Stratford branch in east London, which saw sandwiches and snack sales double over the weekend.
