UK retailer Waitrose has reported a sales increase of 3.2%, excluding fuel, for the week ending 2 December 2017, compared to the same week the year before.
Wine sales were up by 8%, with Argentinian and German wines seeing the largest increases in sales, up 89% and 50%, respectively.
Beer sales increased by 9%, with growing spirit sales also. Tequila was up over 23%, gin up by 17% and rum up 18%, while cognac sales rose by more than 40%.
The retailer also recently doubled its order for its new Heston Blumenthal gin which sold out in many shops across the country.
Waitrose attributes this growth in part due to its one-day-only half-price promotion on all boxed chocolates on Friday 1 December and all service counter cheese on Saturday, as well as a strong performance in wines, beers and spirits.
Yule Tide Bonus
Ahead of the Christmas season, customers placed more Christmas meat orders, with an 11% increase, including turkey orders which were up 9%, according to Waitrose.
The retailer’s Christmas ad, which launched in the middle of November, helped boost festive sales in the early run up for the festive season.
Waitrose also drew attention to itself by unveiling a limited edition wreath made with Brussels sprout last Friday.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Kevin Duggan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
