Shoppers go on a lockdown binge on tea and biscuits - Kantar

Online grocery sales grew 92 per cent over the last month, as more than one in five households made an online order. Kantar said market growth of 17 per cent during the past 12 weeks was the fastest since records began in 1994.

Total sales reached a record £32bn, reflecting three months of increased grocery shopping during lockdown while most other retailers, bars and restaurants were either closed or experiencing significant reductions in trade.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: “As lockdown restrictions are gradually eased and non-essential retail outlets re-open, some consumers are slowly resuming their pre-Covid routines and shopping habits.

"This meant year-on-year supermarket sales growth decelerated in the most recent four weeks to 14.6 per cent, down from 19 per cent in June. However, we are clearly a long way off a complete return to normality.

"Footfall was still 15 per cent lower during the past four weeks and the average spend on a supermarket trip was £25.05, 35 per cent more than the same period last year, as most people continue to eat more meals and snacks at home."

Mr McKevitt said that despite pubs, bars and restaurants reopening recently, more than half of consumers say they are still uncomfortable with visiting a pub and 42 per cent with visiting a cafe or restaurant.

"As a result, take-home alcohol sales were still up by 41 per cent this month as people were unable to or avoided drinking out," he said.

"The cost of working from home is also starting to add up for many.

“Convenience stores were a lifeline for many people in the early days of the crisis, providing essential supplies close to home.Sales from these types of stores are still up by more than a quarter year on year, but they attracted 2.6 million fewer shoppers through their doors than at the peak of lockdown in April.

"Consumers are clearly growing more comfortable getting in their cars or taking public transport, as the average distance travelled to a grocer has gone up to 4.9km, a 10 per cent increase from the April low.”