Analysis of sales from operators who were open last week showed that overall sales were up 13.4% on the previous week, with sales of food up 22.2% and drink sales growing 7.3% on the previous full weeks trading.
The figures from this week show a continued growth of sales, building on the 21.3% week on week boost in sales from the previous week. While weekly like-for-likes continue to grow, it is worth noting that like-for-like sales are still down 24.1% when comparing last week with the same week in 2019 (an improvement on the 34.4% drop we reported on the previous weeks year on year like-for-likes.).
London experienced a slight plateauing in its recovery, with a 1.7% week on week like-for-like increase and a drop of 28.6% year on year. Like-for-like food sales within the capital had been sluggish since lockdown measure were eased earlier this month, however, last week sales of food in London jumped a notable 17.5% on the previous week.
Chief Product Office Richard Hartley commented that there the figures show an encouraging trend, particularly with regards to seeing that food sales are starting to turn a corner. We would expect to see sales continue to grow as consumer confidence around safety increases and government incentives such as “Eat Out to Help Out” start to gain traction.
