UK retailer Waitrose has said that its total sales last week, excluding fuel, rose by 0.6% compared to the same period last year.
The retailer says that the colder weather during the week led shoppers to purchase 'typically autumnal items'.
Current Trends
Waitrose says that root vegetables were in demand, with sales of parsnip increasing by 39%. Ready meal sales were up by 12.5%, with hot pies (+34%) and hot beverages (+7.5) also experiencing an increase.
Sweet treats were a popular option last week, with sales of premium ice cream increasing by 20%, and pre-packed cakes growing by 9%.
A promotion on private label Waitrose 1 exotic fruit generated an uplift in sales of 15%.
According to Kantar Worldpanel figures released yesterday, Waitrose sales increased by 2.8% in the 12 weeks ending 13 August. It is currently the eight biggest supermarket in the UK, with a 5.1% market share, after being overtaken by Lidl for the first time.
© 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.
