The packed lunch returns as shoppers look to cut costs

The packed lunch returns as shoppers look to cut costs.

  • Sales of food flasks at John Lewis on the rise
  • Travel mugs increasing in popularity
  • Searches for ‘lunchboxes’ on Waitrose.com up 17%

Recent data from John Lewis and Waitrose indicates that the nation is turning to DIY lunches in a bid to make their money go further. 

Sales of food flasks, which keep your food warm throughout the day, have risen by 22% at John Lewis compared to this time last year. 

The packed lunch returns

Travel mugs are also proving popular, up 7% last month compared to the same period in 2021. 

Meanwhile, searches for ‘lunchboxes’ on Waitrose.com are up 17% in the past week alone, with soups stealing increased views. Searches for Sweet Potato & Chickpea Soup are up 186% and Simple Vegetable Soup up 49%. 

‘Ways to economise ’

Pamela Pergolesi, Cookshop Merchandiser at John Lewis, said: “As cost of living concerns continue, our customers are clearly looking for ways to economise and DIY lunches are clearly growing in popularity.   


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