Grocery sales in NI drop 6.3% year on year
Kantar has revealed that grocery sales in Northern Ireland have dropped 6.3% in the year to April 17 2022.
Emer Healy, senior retail analyst at Kantar, comments: “Northern Irish grocery sales are down by 6.3% year on year and this reflects the easing of lockdown restrictions. Shoppers are buying less to eat and drink at home as they can now enjoy meals out at restaurants and cafés again and buy items to have on the go.
“The change in our freedoms is really brought to life by the 12-week data which is comparing against the winter lockdown last year. Shoppers are getting out and about again and making more frequent trips to store, with visits increasing by 2%, while basket sizes have dropped by 8.8%.
“As routines get busier, convenience seems to be top of mind for shoppers. The number of online orders made over the past three months has jumped by 7.6% versus last year. Sales of frozen prepared foods are up £763,000 while chilled prepared products have also grown £500,000 as people opt for quicker and easier meals.
“COVID-19’s influence on our shopping habits is dwindling, however inflation will become a much more dominant factor driving behavioural changes in the months ahead. Annual grocery price inflation in Northern Ireland is now running at 2.8% and we’re expecting this figure will continue to climb as the cost of living rises.
“Tesco maintained its position at the top of the table this period and remains Northern Ireland’s largest grocer with a 36.0% share of the market, followed by Asda and Sainsbury’s with 16.2% and 16.9% respectively.
“Lidl, often a popular choice for customers trying to watch the pennies, was the only retailer to achieve growth over the past year. It nudged up its sales by 0.6% to hold a 7.0% share of the market.”
