Sales of fresh foods, including vegan lines and fruit and vegetable products, have helped Waitrose to a sales boost at the start of the new year.
Customer director Martin George reported that total sales excluding fuel were 3.8 per cent higher than last year in the week to 12 January.
Fresh categories saw particularly strong demand, he said, with customers stocking up on fresh and healthy foods, as well as new stir fry bags, poultry and seafood.
Against the backdrop of Veganuary, the supermarket's vegan and vegetarian ranges enjoyed their biggest week of sales outside of Christmas, while there was increased demand for fresh convenience in the shape of Good to Go salads and sushi packs.
The week also saw Waitrose achieve its target of removing plastic packaging from all of its own-label fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry.
