Royal wedding and some sun helps Waitrose produce record sales figures

Waitrose announced record sales figures yesterday, with the supermarket given a boost by the sunny weather as well as preparations by its customers for this Friday's royal wedding.

The John Lewis Partnership-owned grocer said it enjoyed its best ever Easter Saturday, while sales for the week across its branches rose more than 10 per cent from the equivalent period last year.

"The celebratory mood has helped drive a very strong week's sales, with products we'd normally associate with high summer performing exceptionally well," said Waitrose's managing director, Mark Price.

"Customers are enjoying the holiday and the fine weather whatever their budget, with a wave of alfresco entertaining over the Easter weekend from picnics and barbecues to the traditional Sunday roast."

Waitrose has been one of the companies seeing an increase in demand for patriotic products, revealing it had sold enough bunting to decorate the route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace over 15 times.

The supermarket also estimated that by Friday its customers will have bought over 70,000 Union Jacks.