UK: Waitrose leads sales growth - TNS

By just-food.com | 18 August 2009

Upmarket UK retailer Waitrose has enjoyed the fastest sales growth among the country's largest retailers in the last 12 weeks, according to analysts TNS.

Buoyant sales of Waitrose's own-label Essentials range, combined with the completed conversion of former Somerfield stores into its chain, saw the retailer's sales climb 10.2% during the 12 weeks to 9 August.

Discounters Aldi - which last week announced the departure of its UK boss - and Lidl continued to see their sales growth slow. Sales rose 8.1% and 6.3% respectively but compared unfavourably with the 26% growth enjoyed by Aldi at the end of last year.

"Our data shows that the new shoppers attracted to these outlets and their low prices have largely failed to convert to regular loyal customers," TNS director Ed Garner said.

"Taking the contrasting performances of Waitrose and the discounters together implies that 'Recession Panic' is abating as far as the grocery sector is concerned."

Tesco's share of the UK grocery market fell from 31.2% a year earlier to 31%, with Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's continuing to put pressure on the country's largest grocer.

Morrisons' sales rose 9.2%, Asda posted sales growth of 8.3%, while Sainsbury's saw sales increase by 7.6%, TNS said.

The rate of food inflation again slowed, reaching 5.1%, compared to the 5.9% rate seen in the 12 weeks to 14 June.

Sectors: NPD & innovation, Retail

Companies: Waitrose, Aldi, Somerfield, Lidl, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco