The grocery sector has rebounded into strong sales growth as evidence of a clear split between the top and bottom end of the marketplace grows.
Figures released by Kantar Worldpanel this week for the 12 weeks to 15 May reveal this bounce back effect. “The market has seen a boost this period, now growing at a far more respectable rate of 4.8 per cent compared to the lacklustre performance we saw in March of 2.6 per cent,” said Kantar communications director Ed Garner. “In the four weeks leading up to 15 May, the year-on-year grocery growth rate actually rose to a remarkable 7.8 per cent, bolstered largely by Easter shopping, the good weather and of course the royal wedding.”
At either end of the spectrum, both Waitrose and discounters Aldi and Lidl continue to power ahead. Aldi achieved an all-time record share of 3.4 per cent, up from 3.1 per cent a year ago, and Lidl held onto its 2.6 per cent share, equal to its own record.
Waitrose, however, notched up a growth rate of 8.8 per cent and grew its share from 4.1 per cent for the same period last year to 4.3 per cent this time around.
Asda’s growth fell behind the market at 3.5 per cent with a slump in market share back to 16.6 per cent from 16.8 per cent last year.
Sainsbury’s share remained static at 16.3 per cent, but Tesco and Morrisons grew sales by more than five per cent each to put their share on 30.7 per cent and 11.9 per cent respectively.
