Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Aldi, SuperValu and Scottish retail sales

Discounter Aldi beats upmarket peers in Which? survey

Which? supermarket satisfaction survey has crowned discount food retailer Aldi as the UK’s favourite supermarket, edging out its upmarket rivals, The Drum reported. Aldi secured a healthy 76% satisfaction rating in the poll owing to its low pricing and quality produce, just ahead of middle-class favourite Waitrose.

Waitrose, which has topped the poll every year, pulled in a whisker less at 75%. Marks & Spencer came in third for the poll, followed by Lidl, Iceland, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, with the Co-operative in last place with a lowly 50%. A total of 7,000 shoppers were quizzed for the survey, scoring each grocer on pricing, quality of produce, store environment, stock and navigation.

SuperValu launches new drive through facility at Carrigaline store

Irish grocery chain SuperValu has launched a new drive through facility for time-strapped consumers at its Carrigaline outlet in County Cork, Ireland, The Irish Times reported. The new drive through service located at the shop will enable shoppers to place their orders online and then collect their shopping without entering the store.

Customers can use this by pressing the intercom button at the drive through and state their name and order pick up number to customer services. SuperValu managing director Martin Kelleher said that the retailer hopes to roll out the service to a ‘number of stores’ by the end of the year.

SRC survey reveals value of Scottish retail sales up 4.3% in January

According to Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) industry survey, the retail sales value in Scotland in January rose 4.3% on the corresponding month of 2013, driven by discounting, Herald Scotland reported. The non-food category was the driving factor for the year-on-year growth in Scottish retail sales last month. The non-food sales value in Scotland in January increased by 7% against the same month of 2013.

On the value front, food sales north of the Border in January surged by 1% on a year ago. The SRC numbers show strong sales in the furniture and flooring category as well as strong demand for home accessories and household textiles. The SRC said that clothing sales were strong, as shoppers reacted well to the clearance sales.