Waitrose sales rise 4.3% last week as school holidays kick in

The grocer’s sales stood at £125.84m in the week.

In the 26 weeks to July 30, Waitrose sales were up 2.6% on the previous year.

Last week, picnic food continued to sell well at Waitrose, with food to go up 13% and salads and pre-packed delicatessen items up 11%.

Personnel director Helen Hyde said: “Despite the warmer temperatures, baking is proving a popular way of keeping the family entertained during the school holidays. Supported by strong promotional activity, sales rose last week by more than 21 per cent.”

She added: “Omega 3 enriched chicken is continuing to produce strong week on week sales since its launch this summer with sales up by almost 6 per cent.”

John Lewis

At sister retailer John Lewis, sales rose 3.4% in the 26^th week of the financial year, standing at £76.62m. For the 26 weeks to July 30, sales were 4.7% higher than in the previous year.

It was a tough week for home, with sales down 7.2%, which John Lewis commercial director Paula Nickolds attributed to “a reflection of the ongoing warmer weather which meant customers’ minds were less focused on big ticket purchases within the home”.

The warm weather benefitted the outdoor living category however, with sales soaring 41.5%.

Electrical and home technology sales were up 10.5% while fashion sales rose 7.9%.

Nickolds added: “Swimwear and nightwear were up 37.1%, a sign that customers were preparing to escape somewhere hot during the school holidays. Menswear also had a strong week, up 8.1% on last year, with John Lewis own brand men’s clothing up 15.6%.”