Sales of brassicas and potatoes were up in Waitrose stores after a chilly week at the end of August brought shoppers back to the category.
According to the retailer, which unveiled its new identity as Waitrose & Partners today, broccoli leaped 33 per cent on the week before, with other brassicas cauliflower and cabbage both enjoying a rise of 22 per cent. Potato sales also grew 13 per cent according to Waitrose.
The returning taste for more autumnal veg also boosted sales of their vegetarian and vegan ranges, which spiked 62 per cent.
Throughout much of the summer consumers opted for salad vegetables as persistent heat drove shoppers to the category. But they might be surprised to find higher prices and wonkier brassicas than usual as many supermarkets have relaxed their specifications following an extreme dry spell for UK producers.
Shoppers might also be surprised by Waitrose’s new look, as they re-christen themselves “Waitrose & Partners” alongside owners John Lewis & Partners.
Waitrose said it will take several years to refit and rebrand all their stores and products with the new title.
The change has been designed to highlight their partnership business model according to Waitrose, which differentiates them from their main competitors.
