Grocery shoppers aim to trade up spending

Britain's number two grocer Asda has seen its market share fall to its lowest level since November 2008 as shoppers take advantage of low food price inflation to but more premium groceries, said researchers Kantar Worldpanel.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jun 2010, 23:26 BST
Updated 22nd Jun 2010, 23:26 BST

Kantar, formerly known as TNS Worldpanel, said yester-

day that British grocery sales rose 3.7 per cent year-on-year in the 12 weeks to June 13, including food price inflation of 1.5 per cent.

Among the top four supermarket groups, Wm Morrison saw the fastest growth, with sales up 6.1 per cent.

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That was followed by J Sainsbury on 4.4 per cent, sector leader Tesco on 3.7 per cent and Asda on 2.7 per cent.

Part of Asda's recent under-performance is because it has been opening

fewer new stores than its rivals.

Upmarket chain Waitrose, the grocery arm of the John Lewis group, which has been expanding rapidly, saw sales growth of 11.2 per cent.

But Kantar said there were other factors behind the divergent performances.

Communications Director Ed Garner said yesterday:

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"It's interesting to see shoppers continuing to trade up as demonstrated by Sainsbury's and Waitrose as well as Tesco Finest.

"As we emerge from the grip of the recession, quality is back on the agenda."

Related topics:ASDAWaitroseBritainTesco