Waitrose reports that total sales excluding fuel were down 1.9 per cent compared to the same week last year, following a planned decision to reduce promotional activity.
Customers began to stock up for the big day, with sales of panettone up by 12 per cent and mince pies up by 9 per cent.
Shoppers were also busy getting their homes ready for the holiday. Sales of Christmas trees were up by 16 per cent, Christmas flowers up by 11 per cent and orchids up by 143 per cent. Sales of cleaning products were also on the rise as people start to prepare for visitors - eco cleaning products, toilet cleaners, disinfectants and kitchen cleaners all sold well.
Last week Waitrose pledged that by Christmas 2020, their own-label cards, wrap, crackers, tags, flowers and plants will either be glitter-free or use an environmentally friendly alternative. Glitter is made up of tiny pieces of plastic, and when washed off, the little bits of plastic can end up in water where they never break down.