It may only be early October but consumers appear to be thinking about Christmas earlier than ever this year, according to the latest figures from Waitrose.
The supermarket chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, said that sales of
Christmas puddings had risen by 100 per cent in the week to October 2, compared to the same period the year before.
Christmas cake sales were also stronger, up 22 per cent, boxed
Christmas cards gained 22 per cent and gift wrap was up 15 per cent year on year.
Personally I am happy to wait for the annual "surprise" delivery of a well chosen luxury gift hampers full of Christmas goodies from M&S - to include cake, mince pies, pud and a nice drop of vintage Port.
News on the early seasonal surge came as Waitrose said that overall sales for the week to October 2 rose 9.4 per cent to £92.87 million, as customers responded positively to its brand price match campaign on popular branded groceries.
Sales at the John Lewis department stores gained 13.9 per cent to £62.39 million, with a strong performance online.
The upbeat figures come as retailers across the country move into the vital Christmas trading period, with some anxious that the impending Comprehensive Spending Review could hit consumer confidence and spending.
Sainsbury’s said earlier this week that consumers were unlikely to worry, although Marks & Spencer warned yesterday that it could put pressure on household budgets.
However, some retailers could benefit over Christmas from consumers bringing forward some purchases before VAT riises to 20 per cent early in the new year.
