Waitrose customers are embracing the festive spirit early this year as searches for Christmas food jump and delivery slots are selling out fast.
The upmarket grocer said searches on Waitrose.com for Christmas gifts and seasonal party foods are up threefold, while festive confectionery and desserts have doubled.
It reported that its delivery service has experienced higher demand than usual, with 70% of its delivery slots filled up already.
This sees Waitrose’s festive delivery service, which went live on 25 September, up 6% on last year, with 23 December its most popular day so far as nine out of ten slots have already been booked.
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Waitrose own brand director Maddy Wilson said: “We’re seeing a huge appetite for Christmas already with online slots filling up faster than ever before and customers stocking up early on our festive treats.
“Our fantastic Christmas range of over 500 products is in hot demand with volumes up 25 per cent up on this time last year.”
Early demand for the festive season comes as many retailers ramp up their Christmas recruitment drive in a bid to bolster customer service over the holidays.
Last week, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Aldi and Morrisons kicked off the process to hire of thousands of new temporary workers over the busy period.
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