Waitrose’s total weekly sales fell across the board last week as changeable weather altered people’s shopping behaviour.

Total Waitrose sales for the week to August 10 dropped 1.7% compared to the same period last year.

Ambient food sales declined 1.4% and non-ambient food was down 1.6%, while sales of home and general merchandise products tumbled 4%.

Waitrose & Partners supply chain director Wim van Aalst said: “In a week of changeable weather, sales of comfort foods such as Indian and Chinese ready meals proved popular with some customers while the scrumptious summer range continues to perform well.”

Strong growth was recorded in low-alcohol and non-alcoholic wines, which were up 51% year on year.

Sister retailer John Lewis & Partners recorded a 0.4% increase in sales during the same period, driven by a 4.7% sales surge in electricals and home technology.

Television sales and large electrical products recorded a 21% and 12.4% sales increase respectively. Personal care enjoyed a particularly strong week with a 74% jump in sales, off the back of high demand for haircare products.

However, John Lewis & Partners recorded a 1.2% and 2.7% decline in fashion and home sales respectively.

John Lewis Partnership’s total weekly sales were down 0.9% to £198.1m during the week ending August 10.

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