New shoppers flock to Waitrose as grocery market grows sales

Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Warmer weather and slowing food inflation have boosted volume and value sales in the UK grocery market, with Waitrose turning in an "impressive performance" over the last month, according to figures out today by market research company Nielsen.

Sales performances in the grocery sector continue to strengthen with year-on-year unit sales growing at 1% in the four weeks to June 13, compared to an annual negative growth of -1.5%.

In value terms, growth in the sector accelerated to +5% for the latest four weeks, up on quarterly gains of +4.3% (source: Nielsen Scantrack).

Mike Watkins, senior manager retailer services at Nielsen, said: "Individual retailer performances have been much closer over recent weeks with all food retailers benefiting from the warmer weather, slowing food inflation and improved unit growths.

"In the last quarter, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons have performed well and in the latest four weeks Waitrose has also turned in an impressive performance with a growth of 8.4% in the four weeks to June 13."

Nielsen reports that almost 250,000 new shoppers have visited Waitrose in the last four weeks compared to the same period last year and spend per visit is also up at more than 5%.

Watkins said: "Waitrose has gained a strong momentum going into the summer, which is the time of year that brings incremental sales for fresh foods.

"With new stores opening and a major media campaign in early June to support the launch of the retailer's essential own-label range, the outlook, based on recent performance, is positive.

"It appears that shoppers are remaining loyal to the retailer and are seeing the benefit of the re-priced and re-packaged private label."

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