Summer sales soar at Waitrose as shoppers enjoy the sunshine

Trade update for week ending 6 June 2015, from Waitrose Supply Chain Director, David Jones

Total sales excluding fuel were 2.1% higher than last year, with the colder start to the week making way for a fine and sunny weekend.

The week started on a chilly note, but as the rain gave way to blue skies, customers began to stock up on products more traditionally associated with summer living, as sales of ice cream soared by 8%, frozen fruit surged by 26% and ice sales rose by 7% year on year.

Britons enjoyed the sunshine with plenty of picnics as sales of prepared salad bowls grew by 43% and soft fruit saw an 11% uplift. Lots of garden gatherings also meant that dips and crisps were up 12% and 9% respectively.

Barbecue meat sales over the weekend were up by a sizzling 114% compared to the previous weekend. Kebabs, a key indicator of hot weather, made up the top three most popular barbecue items, with sales up 140%. White bread rolls, an essential accompaniment for burgers, were a best-seller in bakery. Shoppers remembered to keep their cool, too, as sales of fizzy drinks were up 75% and bottled water rose by 11.5%.

Traditional flavours of summer are also making it on to customers' menus with British asparagus flourishing – up 41% year on year. Summer seafood was also a best seller, with sales of prawns up 30% and pre-packed fish growing by 8% compared to last year.

This week's 25% off all wine and Champagne offer prompted strong sales with Champagne (+29%) and sparkling wine (+42%) proving extremely popular.

The growing pride in our home-grown vineyards shows no signs of abating either, as English wine sales were up a very strong  91% year on year.