Waitrose has announced its sales were up almost 10 per cent last week, thanks largely to its value Essentials range.
It also put the 9.8 per cent improvement on the same period in 2008 down to strong salad and barbecue food sales, triggered by hot weather in recent weeks.
Sales of prepared lines have also enjoyed an uplift, with fruit lines improving by almost 2.5 per cent - a small indicator that consumer confidence is returning to premium food shopping, it has been suggested. New potatoes and asparagus have also enjoyed an increase in sales.
Overall, like-for-like sales on last month were up 4.6 per cent, nearly 10 per cent higher than forecast.
The Essentials range includes deals on a range of soft fruit, including raspberries and blueberries, as well as salad cress.
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