Online-only grocer Ocado has released its latest search data which shows shopper searches for comfort foods and festive cravings have spiked, despite the current high temperatures being experienced across much of the UK.
Although supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose and Aldi saw ‘record-breaking’ sales for typical summer snacks such as ice cream during the 40C heatwave in July, Ocado’s data found roast dinners were also trending.
Searches for the classic Sunday lunch is continuing to reflect an increase in consumer interest, with a 48% rise in searches for ‘beef gravy’.
Other typical roast dinner components – including Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes – were up by 36-37%, with Christmas dinner staple, pigs in blankets rising by 47% in searches.
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Lighter products, often associated with summer weather such as chicken and fish have dropped in popularity according to the data, while shepherd’s pie saw rising searches of 34%.
The research also found the top five trending vegetables to be ‘parsnips’, ‘swede’, ‘leeks’, ‘butternut squash’. Most impressive was the significant boost given to searches for ‘fresh cauliflower’, which went up by 180%.
The data also revealed the top dessert option is no longer ice cream as ‘crumble’ took top spot, with a 42% increase.
Pomegranate juice has also seen a spike in popularity, after the most searched drink, red wine which is up 11%.
“Despite being in the midst of a heatwave, it’s clear that the nation has simply had enough of the heat,” Ocado Retail brand director, Lisa McDowell said.
“While we’d expect Brits to be ordering salads and eating al fresco, Ocado’s real-time insight into our customers’ searches indicates that they’re longing for cosier nights and hot, home-cooked meals.”
This news comes as Ocado is one of the latest retailers to remove disposable barbecues from sale across all sales channels, both instore and online in a bid to protect the environment at a time of “greatly increased risk of fire,” from soaring temperatures during the heatwave.
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