A colder spell of weather and promotions saw sales of winter food and drink classics rise, driving sales growth of 2.5 per cent (excluding fuel) at British upmarket grocer Waitrose last week.
Sales of stuffing and Yorkshire puddings were up 13 per cent and soup sales rose by 6 per cent, according to the retailer.
Wines, beers and spirits also had a particularly strong week as customers stocked up ahead of the festive season.
In the 10 per cent off wines, beers and spirits promotion for myWaitrose customers, sales of wines from the Loire up 90 per cent, Spanish wines rose 99 per cent and Portuguese wines were up 84 per cent.
The trend for choosing tequila continued as sales increased by 20 per cent compared to last year. The revival of vermouth is continuing, with sales up 9 per cent, and malt whisky enjoyed sales growth of 5 per cent.
Highlights from the frozen aisle included sales of battered fish being up 23 per cent and prawns up 21 per cent.
Meanwhile, fill-your-own-gift crates were the highest selling Christmas gift at Waitrose.
In other news this month, Waitrose has opened its first sushi bar at the Waitrose Nine Elms store in Battersea, south London.
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