Grocery sales rise in first quarter

Grocery sales in the 12 weeks to 25th March increased by 2.5 per cent on last year, according to figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said: “The Beast from the East played havoc with consumers’ usual shopping plans. In the run up to and during the cold snap, shoppers stockpiled groceries buying 4 per cent more items than normal, increasing the average value of a trip from £14.99 to £15.80.

“However, they simultaneously visited stores 5 per cent less often as they stayed wrapped up at home, meaning overall lost sales from the storm were minimised to £22 million. Warming foods and drinks were the go-to items for customers after braving the snowy weather – sales of hot beverages and tinned soup grew by 8.4 per cent and 27.5 per cent respectively over the past month.”

Who’s growing fastest?

Total till roll – consumer spend. 12 weeks to 25th March 2018

£m                      Change on

last year (%)

Aldi                    1,941                                10.7

Lidl                     1,415                                10.3

Ocado                    331                                  9.3

Tesco                 7,316                                  2.4

Morrisons          2,769                                  2.4

Asda                   4,149                                  1.8

Waitrose             1,332                                  1.5

Other multiples     476                                  1.5

Sainsbury’s        4,191                                  0.6

Co-op                 1,579                                  0.1

Iceland                   562                                 -0.8

Symbols &            463                                 -9.5

Independents

Total                26,524                                  2.5

Source: Kantar Worldpanel