Sales and profits up at Waitrose

Waitrose has reported a rise in annual sales and profits.

In the 52-week period to 25 January 2014, Waitrose saw a 6 per cent increase in gross sales to £6.1 billion, while like-for-like sales grew 5.1 per cent.

Operating income, meanwhile, climbed 6.1 per cent to £310 million.

A spokesperson for the John Lewis Partnership retailer said a large proportion of the rise in like-for-likes was due to volume growth.

Elsewhere, gross grocery sales through waitrose.com were up over 41 per cent as Waitrose nearly doubled the capacity of its branches to fulfil online orders.

The retailer opened 13 stores last year, taking its network to 305. Forty-two of these outets are Little Waitrose convenience stores.

Charlie Mayfield, chairman of John Lewis Partnership, said:“This has been another good year for the Partnership. Both Waitrose and John Lewis increased market share for the fifth consecutive year, profit before exceptionals has grown by almost 10 per cent and, for the first time, we have achieved sales of over £10 billion.'