Waitrose reveals national shopping basket trends
Waitrose has released figures which identify how many of the products entering the Office for National Statistics ‘Basket of Goods’ have become top sellers for the retailer.
Gin sales are up 16% year-on-year while non-dairy milk sales have surged by 170%.
Michael Andrews, director of ambient buying for Waitrose, said: “With the UK experiencing a ‘ginnaissance’, it’s no wonder gin has entered back into the basket this year. It has consistently been our fastest growing spirit and with so many new boutique brands entering the market this shows no sign of slowing.”
The retailer said the gin trend has been driven by an increase in smaller distilleries which use new combinations of botanicals to create unique flavours. Sales of traditional gin brands are currently up 21% at the supermarket and shoppers are also buying more premium gins with sales increasing by 40%. Gin’s success has had a halo effect on tonic too with sales up 21%.
Andrews added: “Alternative milks have been a fast-growing area over recent years. Once considered niche, they have gone mainstream with sales up 170%. Soy milk was once the only dairy free choice available but both oat and almond milk are now seeing the biggest increase in popularity with sales rising by 49% and 26% respectively.”
