Grocery sales rise marks three years of growth

The sales advance over the 12 weeks to June 16 was however described as “modest” against a period last year when a heatwave and the men’s football World Cup boosted performance.

The latest data showed that sales fell at all of the big four grocers, with the exception of Tesco, which was flat.

Asda’s sales edged down 0.1% while Morrisons’ and Sainsbury’s were down 0.5% and 0.6% respectively.

Sales at Aldi rose 9.3%, while Lidl notched up a 7.5% increase.

Ocado’s sales rose 11.3% and the Co-op was up 3%.

Aldi drew an additional 883,000 shoppers over the period, giving it a market share of 7.9%, up by 0.5pps year on year.

Kantar head of retail and consumer insight Fraser McKevitt said: “Aldi’s announcement that it is rolling out more small, Local format stores in London looks like an attempt to increase its share in the capital, where it currently takes home just one out of every £30 of supermarket spend.

“Grocery sales growth in London currently stands at 4% year on year, nearly three times the national rate, showing why all retailers see the capital as a major area of potential.

“Co-op is continuing to enjoy success in London and the South, where new store openings have helped make the region its largest area of growth.”

He said Tesco’s flat sales growth despite a volume increase reflected “the average price paid per pack falling as sales of its value own-label lines like Eastman’s and Redmere Farms increased by 11%, and its ‘100 Years of Great Value’ campaign continued to offer lower prices”.

Ocado was the fastest-growing supermarket in the period, as sales rose 11.3%. However, only 3% of shoppers currently buy from the retailer.