Waitrose is witnessing an unprecedented early surge in Christmas shopping activities.
- Searches for Christmas gifts and party foods on Waitrose.com have increased threefold compared to previous years.
- Interest in festive confectionery and desserts has doubled, indicating heightened early festive spirits.
- 70% of delivery slots have been filled since the festive service initiation on 25 September.
- The most in-demand delivery day, 23 December, already has nine out of ten slots occupied.
Waitrose has reported a significant increase in early Christmas shopping activities, as demonstrated by the rise in online searches for festive products. According to the retailer, consumers are planning early, with searches for Christmas gifts and seasonal party foods on Waitrose.com tripling compared to the same period last year.
The upmarket grocer noted a substantial doubling in the demand for festive confectionery and desserts. This trend reflects an early engagement with the festive season, with many customers eager to secure their favourite holiday treats ahead of time.
Waitrose’s festive delivery service, which commenced on 25 September, has seen swift uptake, with 70% of delivery slots already filled. This is a 6% increase compared to the previous year, illustrating the growing trend of customers opting for early online booking to ensure timely delivery of their Christmas orders.
Particularly notable is the demand for delivery slots on 23 December, with 90% of spots already reserved. This indicates a preference for last-minute preparations or perhaps fresh produce close to the festive day.
Maddy Wilson, Waitrose’s own brand director, commented on this year’s trends, stating, ‘We’re seeing a huge appetite for Christmas already with online slots filling up faster than ever before and customers stocking up early on our festive treats.’ This reflects a 25% rise in product volumes compared to the previous year.
As Waitrose experiences a remarkable early surge in Christmas shopping, it reflects a broader trend of early festive preparation among consumers.
