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Grocery sales surge

The latest grocery share figures from ACNielsen revealed top line sales growth across grocery multiples of 8% in the 12 weeks to August.

ACNeilsen said the impressive growth was a result of the major impact both the World Cup and hot weather had on consumer behaviour.

Tesco and Sainsbury’s benefited the most from the world cup promotions during the summer but there has also been a continued growth in the total till market share of Waitrose, Co-op and Somerfield.

Eleni Nicholas, md of ACNielsen UK, said: “There has been an impressive surge in soft drinks (+27%) and fresh foods (+15%), as a result of the record breaking temperatures which encouraged “al fresco living” for us Brits, and tempted us away from the sofa”.

The recent trading update from Wal Mart confirmed that Asda `s current performance was improving and in the most recent 12 weeks Homescan total till shows that growths at Asda was 4%. However, Sainsbury’s continue to outperform Asda with growth of 7% and Sainsbury’s has extended the gap in market share to Asda on grocery only sales to 1.6%.

Mike Watkins, senior manager of retailer services, ACNielsen, said: “Asda sales growths are improving but their core food business will continue to be under threat and not just from Tesco. A rejuvenated Sainsbury’s, a recovering Morrisons and the ever present discounters can all steal spend.” He added that despite a combined grocery share of less than 6%, discounters such as Aldi and Lidl have increased penetration this year. “One third of all households used a discounter over the summer and we know that a new discounter store will trade well alongside an existing Asda or Tesco,” he said.

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