Sales of prepared produce and fresh fruit have soared at Waitrose thanks to the hot weather.
In the week ending 12 May, personnel director Jo Walmsley reported that total sales excluding fuel rose 3.8 per cent on last year as sunshine and warmer temperatures influenced shopping habits.
Prepared salad sales increased by more than 22 per cent, tomatoes were up by more than 16 per cent and avocados by more than 14 per cent, Walmsley said.
Strawberries sales were also up 38 per cent, melons rose 26 per cent, mangoes went up 41 per cent and figs increased by 138 per cent. Lemon and limes were also up 22 and 38 per cent respectively.
Walmsley added that the retailer's 'beautifully simple' campaign, which features easy-to-make recipes, has also helped to drive sales. The featured recipe last week for stuffed sea bass, chorizo, potatoes and peas saw sales of Charlotte potatoes grow by 54 per cent, Cooks’ Ingredients Chorizo sales by 116 per cent and pre-packed fish sales by 11 per cent.
