Consumers are already diving into the festive spirit, with searches for Christmas items at Waitrose surging dramatically.
- Interest in Christmas food and gifts on Waitrose.com has tripled compared to previous months, indicating a significant early interest.
- The demand for festive treats, including confectionery and desserts, has already doubled as shoppers prepare early for the holidays.
- Waitrose has experienced a rapid booking of its delivery slots, with 70% already filled shortly after becoming available.
- As part of a broader trend, several major retailers are increasing recruitment to meet the holiday demand.
Consumers are enthusiastically embracing the Christmas spirit earlier than usual, as evident from the significant increase in searches for holiday-related items on Waitrose.com. This early interest suggests that shoppers are planning in advance to secure their favorite seasonal products.
The data shows a threefold increase in searches for holiday gifts and party foods. This trend indicates a heightened excitement surrounding the festive season as individuals look to prepare well ahead of the traditional rush. Waitrose’s range of festive confectionery and desserts is attracting considerable attention, with demand soaring to double previous levels.
The swift uptake of Waitrose’s delivery service is another clear sign of the early shopping surge. Launched on September 25th, the service has already seen 70% of its slots filled, demonstrating a populous commitment to planning and securing deliveries before the holiday peak. The most sought-after delivery day appears to be December 23rd, with nine-tenths of slots already reserved.
To accommodate this growing demand, not only Waitrose but other retailers such as Sainsbury’s, M&S, Aldi, and Morrisons are ramping up recruitment. The hiring of thousands of temporary workers aims to enhance customer service and manage the expected influx of holiday shoppers.
The early surge in Christmas shopping at Waitrose underscores a notable shift in consumer behavior towards proactive holiday preparation.
