Sales at supermarket chain Waitrose accelerated towards the end of last month, with consumers descending on its stores as the run-up to Christmas gathered momentum.
Figures published by the firm late last week revealed sales in the week ending on November 26 were up 5.2 per cent on the same period in 2010, although Britain was affected by a prolonged spell of freezing weather towards the end of last year.
There was a sharp increase in sales of soft fruits, salads and seafood, while Heston Blumenthal’s mince pies sold 40 per cent more than in the previous week. Waitrose marketing director Rupert Thomas observed that ranges endorsed by celebrity chefs had proven particularly popular this Christmas.
“In response to customer demand for Heston’s Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding and the mini version made with a clementine, we’re working around the clock with our supplier to get more puddings on the shelves,” he said. “Deliveries will be received this week with further deliveries arriving at the end of next week.”
John Lewis, which is owned by the same parent company as Waitrose, also announced last week that sales were up by 10.5 per cent year-on-year in the last few days of November.
