Upmarket UK retailer Waitrose has booked an increase in sales for the first quarter, boosted by sales in the firm’s Essential’s range.

For the 13-weeks to the end of April, the firm’s core sales growth, excluding petrol, increased 11.6%, the firm said today (12 May).

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For the same period, like-for-like branch sales increased 3.4% (including VAT).

“Essential Waitrose, our range of everyday, affordably priced products, continues to go from strength to strength, accounting for around 16% of our total sales,” Waitrose told just-food.

“We are also continuing to offer the best range of everyday to gourmet food in the UK, with recent launches including restaurant quality dishes ‘Menu From Waitrose’ and our ‘Seriously…’ range of luxury desserts,” the retailer added.

In March, Waitrose signalled that it is planning to expand into the convenience sector with the opening of its first smaller format outlet this summer.

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