Waitrose reports muted trading in six-day week

At upmarket grocer Waitrose, sales fell 16.4% year-on-year in the six days to April 10, due to the earlier fall of Easter. Shops remained closed on Sunday, skewing the measure in favour of last year’s trading.

Commercial director Rupert Thomas said: “A cold, wet week compared to last year saw sales of warming soups increase by 17% and accompaniments to Easter roasts, including gravy and Yorkshire puddings, rise by 7%.”

John Lewis

Overall sales at the department store grew 3.6% year-on-year, despite one less day of trading.

In particular, electricals and home tech performed well, marking a 15.6% spike for the six days.

Director of shop trade Maggie Porteous said: “Audio and connected home performed well, and vision [which includes TVs and screens] was also up on last year. Elsewhere, small electricals had a positive week with coffee machines, food prep and vacuum cleaners all seeing an uplift in sales.”

Overall fashion sales were down 3.2% despite increased interest in cold weather clothing, which was up 9%. Premium accessories performed well with watches up 27% and handbags also selling well. 

Shoppers also showed dwindling interest in home ranges, which fell 1.4%. Bright spots included textiles and home accessories, which rose 5.9%. Sales of water bottles soared 23%. 

Across the partnership, sales fell 8.8% to £197.08m.