Total sales at Waitrose fell 3.1% year-on-year over the week to 25 May, with the chain blaming tough comparatives with the same period last year which benefited from warmer weather.
However, the chain highlighted that the cooler weather had boosted sales of tea (+14%) and soups (+5%), whilst curry kits and pasta sauces also had a good week, up 11%.
Overall, sales in the ambient category were down 3%, whilst sales in Chilled, Fruit, Veg & Hort., Bakery, Meat, Fish, Frozen and Dairy slipped 1.9%. Sales in the Home & General Merchandise category fell 11%.
Meanwhile, sales at sister chain John Lewis were down 5.6% as it annualised price matching competitor activity in the same week last year.
Fashion sales fell 4.3% due to the annualised price matching activity, although its beauty department had a good week with sales up 7.3%. Home sales were down 7.1% as the cooler weather impacted the sales of outdoor living products. Electrical and home technology sales slid 5.1%.
NAM Implications:
- Unless falling sales can be reversed…
- …the alternative will be cost cutting.
- i.e. shops and staff…(including buyer numbers?)
- without compromising service levels…
- Watch this space…
