“The Northern Irish grocery market grew by 4.3% in the 52 weeks to 11 July 2021. People made bigger, less frequent trips to the supermarket this year to limit the time they spent out of the home and volume sales increased by 5.9% as a result” said Emer Healy, retail analyst at Kantar.

Decline in last 12 weeks

“In the shorter term, the market declined by 8.1% in the most recent 12 weeks as we compare sales against the exceptionally high grocery spending at the height of the first national lockdown.

“As the hospitality sector gradually reopens, consumers spent £32 million less on alcohol from the supermarkets in the latest 12 weeks, a 29.7% decline compared with last year. Sales of home cooking categories declined by 18.5% as people made the most of being able to eat out with friends and family.

On the up and up

“Tesco remains the country’s largest grocer, increasing its sales by 5.2% compared with the previous year and benefiting from shoppers picking up two extra items each visit to store. Sainsbury’s grew by 3.0% this period as its customers each made five extra trips to its stores. Asda’s sales rose by 4.5%, helping it to hold 16.1% of the grocery market.

“Lidl is still the fastest growing retailer in Northern Ireland, with sales 13.5% higher than last year. This growth came from consumers buying more per trip and going to stores more often, with frequency of trips up 10.8%.”

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Emer Healy, retail analyst at Kantar, comments: “The Northern Irish grocery market grew by 5.9% in the 52 weeks to 13 June 2021.  In the shorter term, sales declined by 7.4% in the most recent 12 weeks as the market continues to annualise against the exceptionally high grocery spending at the height of the first national lockdown.

“With lockdown easing and vaccine rollout continuing in Northern Ireland, there are signs that people are feeling more comfortable venturing out to do smaller shops more often.  Frequency of trips is up 7.3% in the latest 12 weeks, and basket sizes as a result have reduced by 12.6%.

“With pubs and restaurants open once again, shoppers jumped at the chance of a drink they didn’t have to pour themselves, spending £24.8 million less on alcohol in the supermarkets in the latest 12 weeks.

“Tesco remained Northern Ireland’s largest grocer with 35.5% of the market and increased its sales by 6.7%.  While in store, Tesco benefited from shoppers picking up 12.4% more items.

“The second biggest retailer Sainsbury’s grew by 4.0%, as shoppers returning to store more often contributed an additional £79.8 million to its tills.  Asda’s sales rose by 6.1%, helping it to hold 16.1% of the grocery market.

“Lidl was the fastest growing retailer in Northern Ireland, increasing sales by an impressive 15%.  This growth came from consumers buying more per trip and going to stores more often.”

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