UK supermarket sales are being affected by a consumer slowdown, according to the latest data from market analysts TNS Worldpanel.
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TNS reported that overall market growth had dipped by 4% in the 12 weeks to 15 July, against 6% growth in the previous 12 weeks.
However, the most recent 12-week period was being compared with a particularly buoyant period in 2006 when the build-up to the World Cup and very fine weather boosted sales.
Nevertheless, TNS director of research Chris Longbottom insisted the figures reflected an increased squeeze on consumer spending.
The UK’s top three retailers, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury, all experienced growth of around 5%, TNS said, but Somerfield’s sales slipped by 6%.

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By GlobalDataTNS reported that growth at John Lewis-owned supermarket chain Waitrose was running ahead of the major chains which it attributed to continued growing demand in the premium sector. At the other end of the price spectrum, discount chains Aldi and Lidl showed double-digit growth, on the back of new store openings.
The market share of the UK’s leading retailer Tesco remained unchanged from last year at 31.5%. Asda’s and Sainsbury’s market shares both grew slightly, to 16.7% and 16.2 % respectively.