UK retailer Waitrose has announced that sales fell by 1.1% last week compared to the same period the previous year, which was the hottest week of 2016.
The company attributes this drop to the variable weather, as favourable conditions have been continuously boosting sales in recent weeks, particularly in the areas of summer fruits and drinks.
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Waitrose says that the strongest growth last week was seen in products usually associated with winter months. This includes prepared meals, which were up by 14%, soup (+18%), and hot drinks (+8%). Waitrose cafes also experienced a 7% increase in sales.
Last week the retailer also announced that it will start selling North Sea cod in its stores again for the first time in 18 years, after the fishery was certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
