The grocery multiples began to see improved sales success in January, although demand for food and drink is still weak, according to this month’s Nielsen figures.
Overall sales at the multiples rose 6.5% in the four weeks to 24 January 2007, the company said today.
In the 12 weeks to this date, Morrisons boosted sales by 9.6% and Asda by 7.2%, compared with the corresponding period in 2008.
Discounter Iceland saw sales growth of 16% during the same 12-week period. it also significantly boosted sales on today’s TNS figures.
And Marks & Spencer (M&S), which had begun to see weaker growth, re-entered positive growth of 1.4%, Nielsen added.
Senior manager of retailer services Mike Watkins said: “M&S has extended its dine in for two offer, kept the £5 off a £25 basket voucher scheme running and also reduced prices on a number of individual products across the store, providing shoppers with the same high quality at very good prices.
“Shoppers are responding well and coming back for more with number of visits per shopper up 12% on last January.”
