The UK’s independent retail sector saw like-for-like revenue growth of 10.3% during the last eight weeks of 2009 thanks to a peak in sales during the cold snap, according to data from SalesOut.
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The findings, based on data from over 11,000 independent stores, 5,000 of which are symbol stores, suggest the independent grocery sector saw sales grow ahead of the UK’s big multiples.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons posted growth of 4.9%, 4.2% and 6.5% respectively for trading periods including Christmas.
A spokesperson for SalesOut told just-food that although sales at independents jumped during the cold weather – when people found it harder to travel to larger out of town stores – the growth also represents the continuation of a trend noted by the research firm over the past 12 months.
According to SalesOut, the independent sector has benefited from the recession, as consumers increasingly shop locally.
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By GlobalData“The independent retail sector has been in constant growth through the recession. This consistent growth is being driven by a consumer trend towards shopping locally, which is typical in a recession,” Steve Collins, commercial director at SalesOut, suggested.
“Consumers typically react by replacing their weekly trip to the supermarket with multiple, smaller trips to an independent store, or by topping up at local stores in between trips to the supermarket, saving money through buying less and reducing fresh food wastage.”
According to the spokesperson, the research firm therefore anticipates continued growth in the sector.
