Northern Irish grocery market accelerated almost 15 per cent in last quarter: Kantar

Growth in the Northern Irish grocery market accelerated to 14.8% in the 52 weeks ending 21 February 2021.  Over the shorter-term sales grew by 12.7% in the latest 12 weeks.

“As we approach a full year since the start of restrictions in Northern Ireland, lockdowns have meant shoppers have made 20 fewer trips to the supermarket in the past 12 months.  They have needed to pick up extra items when they do visit and volume sales have increased by 18.6% compared with the previous year, picking up two additional items per trip on average” said Retail Analyst Emer Healey.

Picking up more per trip

“Tesco maintained its position as Northern Ireland’s biggest grocer with 35.1% of the market this period.  Shoppers continued to pick up more per trip, increasing basket sizes by 22% and adding an extra £240 million to Tesco’s overall sales.

“Sainsbury’s grew by 14.2% this period, as shoppers picked up more in store and boosted its overall sales by £78.7 million.  It was very a similar picture at Asda, where customers increased their trip size by more than at any other retailer, up 28.1%, and total sales rose by 10.6%.

Strongest growth for Lidl

“Lidl achieved the strongest growth among all the retailers at 21.7% with an additional £43 million spent in store this period.

“Shoppers have continued to look for ways to indulge at home during lockdown and the latest 12 weeks saw the sales of alcohol boosted by 34% year-on-year.  Confectionery and take-home savouries also grew ahead of the total market 18.9% and 17.4% year-on-year.”