Waitrose released a market update, stating that total sales excluding fuel were up 1.1 per cent last week, compared with the same period a year ago.
Sales of root vegetables, including onions and carrots, rose by 8.5 per cent, as shoppers made hearty autumnal dishes at home. Stone fruit sales increased by 34 per cent and sales of pumpkins, a Halloween must-have, rose by 17 per cent. Sourdough bread was a popular choice with customers, with sales up 14 per cent.
A selection of Christmas products arrived in shops last week and sales of mince pies and stollen have already risen by 22 per cent and 6 per cent respectively versus this time last year, as customers stock up on festive staples.
'Nduja, a spreadable and spicy Calabrian sausage which features in a Beautifully Simple recipe with prawns and courgetti, was the best-selling ingredient in the newly updated Cooks' Ingredients range.
For more information:
Bethan Davies
Email: bethan.davies@waitrose.co.uk
Tel: +44 1344 825025
www.waitrose.com/