Grocery sales up 6.2% in last quarter – Year on Year growth 12.2%: Kantar

Latest figures from Kantar show that the grocery market has had a healthy quarter – with Mother’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and Easter all adding to the boost.

 “Year-on-year growth in the Northern Irish grocery market accelerated to 12.2% in the 52 weeks to 21 March 2021.  Over the short term, sales also grew by 6.2% in the latest 12 weeks” said Emer Healy, retail analyst at Kantar.

“National lockdowns and restrictions continued throughout most of the past year, which meant that shoppers stayed home more, and visited stores on average 26 times fewer.  When we did head to the supermarket however, volume per trip soared by 20.9% which drove growth.

Kantar Northern Irish grocery market 07 04 21 (1)

 Tesco still tops

“Tesco maintained its position as Northern Ireland’s biggest grocer with 35.2% of the market this period.  Growth of 11.1% added an extra £130 million to its overall sales.

“The second largest retailer north of the border, Sainsbury’s, grew by 11.3%, with bigger baskets adding an extra £47.9 million to its takings.  Meanwhile, Asda’s sales rose by 8.7% this period and Lidl was the fastest growing retailer again, with overall growth of 18.8%.

“Easter preparations were in full swing in the past month, and sales of Easter eggs over the most recent 12 weeks soared by 68.9% year on year.  Shoppers also helped themselves to a St Patrick’s Day tipple, and spend on alcohol was boosted by 29.4% in the same period.”