Oyster sales at Waitrose increased 87 percent during the last week in July, and for the entire month the retailer’s oyster sales jumped 42 percent, compared to the same period last year.
The upscale retailer attributed the increase in sales to cost-conscious consumers wanting to create romantic restaurant-style dinners at home.
“Oysters sales at Waitrose are at record levels. The current popularity of our Scottish oysters is because cost-conscious consumers are looking to create romantic restaurant-style dinners at home,” said said Jeremy Langley, Waitrose fish buyer.
“What better choice than oysters for bringing romance home,” he added. “An oyster supper is special so staying in doesn’t seem a sacrifice. Plus oysters are not a heavy food and in folklore are thought to be an aphrodisiac.”
King scallop sales also rose 32 percent at the end of July and 36 percent for the entire month. Lobster tails and whole Madagascan tiger prawns are also selling well, up 26 percent and 33 percent, respectively, from the same week last year.
Waitrose has more than 240 stores across the United Kingdom.
