Waitrose sales boosted by barbecues

The employee-owned retailer said Waitrose’s sales increased 24.5 per cent year-on-year to £99.6m in the week to April 9.

“Even taking into account the favourable impact of the timing of Easter, a very strong performance,” said retail director Tony Solomons.

He said sales of the barbecue range of products jumped 566 per cent week-on-week, while sales of children’s ice lollies were up 125 per cent.

Sales at John Lewis’ department stores increased 7.3 per cent to £52.3m. However, sales at its Sheffield store were down 1.3 per cent.

“We benefited from the extra day of trade against Easter Sunday last year, and the week finished with good growth on Saturday,” said head of buying Sarah Morris.

John Lewis has long been outperforming the broader UK retail sector.

A raft of British retailers have issued profit warnings over the last month as the macro outlook has darkened, with consumers worried about government job and welfare cuts, muted wage growth, a weak housing market, and the prospect of higher interest rates.