Press releases
Waitrose greets 2009 with buoyant sales
Monday 5 January 2009
Food retailer Waitrose reports another buoyant week of trading for the New Year, with total sales (excluding petrol) for the week ending 3 January 2009 up 7.5 per cent, with like for like food sales up 4.7 per cent. Sales for the 12 trading days of Christmas and New Year were up 5.4 per cent (excluding petrol) with like for like food sales up 3.1 per cent*.
In addition, the recently completed annual 'How Britain Shops' survey, due to be published later this year and conducted by Retail Analysts Verdict Research, has shown that Waitrose grew customer numbers during 2008 - increasing customer share of total visitors by 7 per cent and customer share of main users by 35 per cent (food & grocery sector)*.
Says Managing Director Mark Price: 'In these challenging economic times we have put a strong emphasis on improving our offer to customers, including more promotions than ever before, deeper discounts and a price commitment programme. Our efforts have paid dividends, with our Christmas and New Year trading figures demonstrating there is a place for well positioned, premium food. Our customers are remaining loyal to us albeit shopping differently and getting better value.
We predict a tough first quarter - during which we will ramp up our promotional programme - and stronger sales for Waitrose in the second quarter.'
*Includes 7 days to 25 December 2008 and 5 days to 31 January 2008.
Notes to Editors
For more information about Verdict's 'How Britain Shops' annual survey, see the Verdict website (www.verdict.co.uk/reports_cdna.htm).
Enquiries
For more information, please contact:
Dara Grogan
Head of Communications
Telephone: 01344 825985
Mobile: 07764 676351
James Armstrong
Property & Development Communications Manager
Telephone: 01344 824657
Mobile: 07771 701012
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