Supermarket group Waitrose beat snowy conditions to end last week “on remarkable form” after generating a sales uplift of 4.7% to £106.3m.

The grocer, stablemate of department store chain John Lewis, hailed “heroic efforts” by staff to ensure trading was maintained and last Saturday was its busiest day ever excluding Christmas week

The cold weather prompted demand for warming foods and store cupboard staples in the period to December 4. Cocoa sales climbed 48% and mulled wine rose 59%, while casserole beef was up 60% and chicken breast four-packs by 113%.

Waitrose retail director Tony Solomons said: “Our larger stores with home departments continued to do well in the cold snap with hats, gloves and scarves proving particularly popular.”

Topics