Cold weather, healthy eating and Burns Night boost sales at Waitrose
Waitrose said the continuing success of its Big Half Price Event and preparation for Burns Night contributed to a 3.7% rise in sales excluding fuel in the week to 17 January.
As the cold weather spread, customers turned to comfort food with sales of Indian ready meals climbing by 21% and sales of slow cook meat rising by 25%.
Products achieving some of the highest year-on year percentage increases included Waitrose LOVElife calorie-controlled ready meals, up 13%, prepared vegetables, up 21%, and pre-packed fresh fish, which rose by nearly 12%.
The supermarket’s half price promotion event, which reduces the prices of more than 400 lines, continued to have an impact across a number categories. Whole duck sales surged by 180% while sales of New York cheesecake increased by 40%. In addition, coffee saw a 19% rise and confectionery sales increased by 13%.
Sales of Scottish malt whisky climbed by nearly 20% due to the approach of Burns Night which led to a 9% uplift in sales of swede. Raspberries and double cream sales also increased, rising by 40% and 10% respectively, as customers prepared to make the traditional Scottish dessert Cranachan.
