GROCERY sales in Northern Ireland accelerated by 9.1 per cent during the 52 weeks to October 4, new figures from Kantar show.
Sales grew by 10 per cent over the latest 12 weeks as the region continues to adjust to the realities of life in a pandemic.
Lidl was again the top performing retailer this period, increasing sales by 12.5 per cent over the year and gaining 0.2 per cent in share. Significantly larger trips, with volumes up 15.4 per cent, contributed an additional £29.7 million to the Germany-owned retailer’s overall growth.
The north's largest retailer Tesco increased its sales by 9.8 per cent year on year and added 0.3 percentage points to share. Basket sizes expanded by 14.4 per cent and contributed an additional £158.3 million to its sales.
“But it was Asda customers who made the biggest additions to their shop,” according to Emer Healy, retail analyst at Kantar.
“Volumes grew by 20.7 per cent and total sales by 4.2 per cent. Sainsbury’s sales rose by 9 per cent and it remains the only retailer to see an uplift in trip frequency in the latest 52 weeks.
“A small jump in shopper visits to store by 2 per cent contributed an additional £11 million.
“With Covid-19 cases on the rise, Northern Irish shoppers appear focused on health and hygiene, boosting sales of healthcare products and household cleaners by 18.8 per cent and 17.9 per cent respectively in the last 12 weeks.”
