Strong trading for Waitrose as Christmas nears
Waitrose has reported that last week’s sales growth was the highest so far this financial year, with the exception of Easter, as total sales rose by 9.6% year-on-year.
Black Friday helped to drive footfall into the shops. In addition, record numbers of John Lewis Click & collect orders were delivered into Waitrose branches with orders up 75% on last year. Online sales increased by 25.5%.
Sales at the supermarket’s online wine site Waitrose Cellar climbed by 40% as customers stocked up for the festive season. Growth was boosted by strong Cyber Monday sales, up 56% on last year, with one Waitrose Cellar order being taken every minute of the day. Mixed cases of wine had a record week on WaitroseCellar.com with sales up 40% and Christmas cases driving much of the performance.
Grocery Click & Collect was another strong area of growth with sales up 318% on last year.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Home delivery was also popular with 69% of delivery slots now full for Sunday 21 December and 93% of delivery slots full for 22 December. In addition, slots for Tuesday 23 December, known as the busiest day for Christmas shopping, and Christmas Eve are both 98% full.
In the shops key seasonal items such as Christmas trees sold well. Festive decorations rose by 103% on last year as customers prepared to deck the halls.
