The soaring temperatures helped lift Waitrose sales for the week ending Saturday April 10 by 23.7%.

The soaring temperatures helped lift Waitrose sales for the week ending Saturday April 10 by 23.7%.

With a wave of picnics and barbecues over the weekend, Waitrose’s barbecue range was up week on week by 566%.

Ice lollies were up by 125% year on year, while ice cream saw a 57% uplift on last year.

Strawberries were up by 100%, and raspberries by 90%.

Salads and coleslaw were also popular, up 54% and 152% respectively.

Mark Price, Waitrose managing director, said: “Sales soared with the rising temperatures last week as the warm sunny weather brought out the ‘feel good factor’ and put customers in the mood for summer with picnics and alfresco entertaining.”