- Waitrose introduces over 120 NEW products for the summer season - more than 40% newness compared to last year
- Sales of BBQ food soar with burgers up +71% and kebabs +27% week-on-week* as the nation celebrates summer cooking
- Picnic goes global, with searches up on waitrose.com by +64% as food lovers embrace sociable, globally-inspired eating at home
Waitrose is turning up the heat with the launch of its summer range yet, designed to inspire a nation of food lovers with innovative flavours, standout seasonal ingredients and a fresh take on modern British dining.
As the nation prepares for warmer weather, waitrose.com has seen a 170% increase in searches week-on-week** for barbecue recipes, with customers looking to elevate outdoor dining with higher-quality, flavour-led options - with searches for BBQ Skewers 533%. Created for those who want more from their food, from succulent barbecue centrepieces, to deli-style sharing dishes and indulgent desserts, the new collection brings together restaurant-quality innovation with the very best of seasonal produce.
“This summer isn’t just about eating outside, it’s about the theatre of enjoying food together.” said Maddy Wilson, Director of Own Brand at Waitrose. “Our customers are food lovers, they are more curious and brave than ever. So this summer, we’re inspiring them to explore new flavours from around the world, to elevate everyday meals and create memorable moments to share with friends and family.
“From standout barbecue centrepieces like the No.1 Curried Spatchcock Chicken with Coronation Sauce to relaxed, grazing-style dishes such as the No.1 Burrata with Roasted Aubergine Caponata. We’re the home of great summer food, bringing together quality, innovation and bold flavour for every occasion.”
Barbecue just got BIGGER
Waitrose No.1 barbecue range has doubled in size, think low, slow and luxury. Inspired by the rise of Americana and regional smokehouse flavours ahead of the upcoming summer of sport. From the ‘melt-in-the-mouth’ No.1 Wagyu Beef Picanha to the tender chicken coated in a Texan-style BBQ glaze, the range is designed for the food lover who wants restaurant quality without the prep time. Did we mention that all the pork in our barbecue range is British and free range too?
Tina Edwards, Waitrose Barbecue Product Developer said, “We have taken inspiration from global food fusion this year, and brought to life as many of our favourite flavours from across the world.
“Our brand new Texan Style BBQ Chicken Burnt Ends are a twist on a classic barbecue staple. They are seriously sticky and perfect for sharing.”
Hero centrepieces include:
- No.1 Thick Cut Rump Steak with Barbecue Glaze (£14.00)
- No.1 Slow Cooked Korean Style Short Ribs (£14.00)
- Texas Style BBQ Chicken Burnt Ends (£5.00)
- BBQ Nashville Style Hot Maple Chicken Wings (£5.00)
- No.1 Wagyu Beef Picanha (£55.00)
- No.1 Curried Spatchcock Chicken with Coronation Sauce (£15.00)
- No.1 BBQ British Pork & Wagyu Beef Hot Links Sausages (£7.00)
- BBQ 2 Thick Cut BBQ Pork Loin Steaks (£5.00)
- BBQ 2 Herby Halloumi Kebabs (£5.00)
- BBQ 4 King Prawn Skewers (£5.00)
- 4 Oak Smoked BBQ Beef Burgers (£5.00)
- BBQ 4 New York Style Beef Burgers (£5.00)
- BBQ 2 Harissa Halloumi Burgers (£5.00)
- BBQ Souvlaki Chicken Sizzlers (£5.00)
#BBQ
Searches for barbecue recipes on waitrose.com were up +170% week-on-week, with recipes for vegetarian barbecue +131%, barbecue fish +190% and barbecue chicken +190%. This demand is reflected across social platforms, with more than 3 million posts tagged #BBQ on TikTok, highlighting a growing appetite for elevated outdoor dining.
Deli discoveries made for sharing
Waitrose is also embracing the shift towards relaxed, sociable dining with an expanded deli range designed for effortless sharing. With 22 new products launching this summer, the collection taps into growing demand for grazing-style meals, global flavours and easy mix-and-match picnic options. Searches on waitrose.com are up week-on-week for Olives +36%, Whipped Feta +45% and falafels +61% alongside the continued popularity of dip-led dining and simple sharing plates, with the search term “what is girl dinner” up 150% over the past five years on Google***.
At the heart of the launch is a new sharing plates range of 10 dishes, created to be enjoyed together across both hot and cold formats, perfect for easy entertaining. Flavour inspiration spans Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, balanced with comforting British classics.
- No.1 Burrata with Roasted Aubergine Caponata (£5.00)
- No.1 Labneh Tzatziki Sharing Dip (£5.00)
- No.1 Black Garlic Chorizo with Wildflower Honey (£5.00)
- No.1 Houmous with Roasted Butternut & Dukkah Sharing Dip (£5.00)
- No 1 Fire Roasted Red Pepper Sharing Dip (£5.00)
- No 1 French Petit Lucques Olives (£4.00)
- No.1 Gran Reserva Serrano Ham & Queso Manchego (£5.80)
- Smoky Scamorza Cheese Arancini (£4.00)
- Greek Grilled Halkidiki Olives Pitted (£4.00)
- Thai Green Chicken Meatballs (£3.75)
Nostalgia also plays a role, with summer quiches inspired by the ‘noshtalgia’ trend. New additions include the Coronation Chicken Pastries (£4.00) and a Ham Hock & Cheddar Ploughmans Quiche (£3.75), alongside elevated favourites such as the No.1 2 Hollandaise & Hot Smoked Salmon Quiches (£5.50).
Completing the range, the dressed salad line-up expands with five new additions, ideal for picnics, light lunches and barbecues including Red Pepper & Orzo Salad (£3.50), Sundried Tomato & Mozzarella Pasta Salad (£3.50), Harissa Couscous Salad (£3.50), Chimichurri Grains Salad (£2.75), Asian Rice Salad (£2.75) and Summer Salad Pesto Dressing (£3.60).
Illusion masterpieces
For dessert, Waitrose has elevated summer sweet treats to a new level, launching two new show-stopping summer puddings that are both a treat on the plate as well as the palette.
The first is the new No.1 2 Alphonso Mangoes Dessert (£7.50), vibrant in both flavour and colour this cracking dessert is a work of art. This sits alongside a premium ice cream collection where we’ve seen online sales up +58% year-on-year, including the rich and indulgent No.1 Belgian Dark Chocolate & Sour Cherry Ice Cream (£4.50), fresh No.1 Mascarpone & Sicilian Lemon Ice Cream (£3.50) and No.1 Madagascan Vanilla & British Blackcurrant Ripple Ice Cream (£3.50), combining creamy depth with a sharp, fruity contrast.
The second showstopper is the new 2 Secret Centre Strawberries (£4.50) bring a playful twist to a summer favourite, delivering a sweet surprise at the heart of every bite.
A modern expression of British food culture
Waitrose’ summer range showcases how British food culture continues to evolve by blending quality local sourcing, global inspiration and a spirit of discovery.
By combining trusted favourites with bold new ideas, Waitrose is encouraging the nation to experiment with food; whether that’s trying new flavour combinations, upgrading classic dishes or hosting with flair.
The summer range reflects how Britain and our customers eat today: sociable, curious and flavour-driven. It is available in shops and online from now.
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact the Waitrose PR team: [email protected]
Please find our summer lookbook here, with imagery available to download.
* WOW sales stats from 19th-25th April compared to 12th-18th April 2026
** searches from 16th-22nd April compared to 9th-15th April 2026
***searches from 1 April 2021 compared to 1 April 2026
About Waitrose
Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, serving customers with exceptional quality products and expert service.
Part of the John Lewis Partnership - the UK’s largest employee-owned business - Waitrose has 320 shops and a strong online business. It also has agreements with brands like Welcome Break and Shell, further bolstering its local footprint.
It works closely with British farmers and suppliers, and is a market-leader for animal welfare and responsible sourcing - using sustainable farming methods, including on its very own farm, the Leckford Estate.
Waitrose has 800 specialist counters across its shops and a Beer, Wine and Spirits team that includes more Masters of Wine than any other UK supermarket. It holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles III.
