Middle class consumers flock again to Waitrose

Shoppers have returned to Waitrose as troubled Asda continues to haemorrhage customers.

In a closely watched update on the state of supermarket sector, research firm NIQ said Waitrose sales were up 3.6pc in the 12 weeks to July 13 compared to the same period a year earlier.

The recovery is a boost to its owner, the John Lewis Partnership, which has suffered years in the doldrums.

The middle-class favourite has been slashing prices on hundreds of products as it battles to win back shoppers from its closest rivals despite the ongoing pressures on consumer pockets.

The recovery is a boost to its owner, the John Lewis Partnership, which has suffered years in the doldrums.

Asda’s growth is stalling, however, with sales 5.9pc lower than last year. The supermarket’s market share has also dropped to 12pc from 13.1pc a year earlier.

Asda has been under pressure from discounters Aldi and Lidl since a £6.8bn takeover led by the Issa brothers saddled it with huge debts. 

Co-owner Mohsin Issa has vowed to restore Asda to is position as the UK’s second biggest food retailer. But retail experts say it will struggle to return to its former glory.