The warm UK weather has boosted sales of fresh fruit and vegetables at Waitrose, with products such as British asparagus (up 26%) and Jersey Royal potatoes (up 55%) seeing a sales boost.
In addition, the retailer said that sales of hamburgers and barbecue coal rose by 33% and 200%, respectively, in the week to 11 April, as more consumers ventured outdoors.
"Summer-drinking trends also saw positive growth, with rosé wine sales increasing by 84%, and Pimm's by 232%," said Waitrose.
Total sales at the grocer were up 7.6% on last year for the period, excluding fuel.
"Sales, while still distorted due to the fall of Easter, were driven by the hot weather, as al-fresco dining and summer-drinking trends saw positive growth," the company said.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
