UK supermarkets have seen the first growth in sales in almost a year, according to the latest Nielsen report.
Euro 2016 contributed to a 6.2-per-cent year-on-year increase in the sales of alcohol (including beer, wine and spirits) over the four-week period ending 18 June 2016. A surge in the sales of crisps and snacks is also attributed to Euro 2016. Sales for these rose 4.2 per cent.
The Nielsen retail-performance data shows that UK supermarkets are seeing their first real increase in year-on-year takings for some time, with a 0.4-per-cent increase in value sales recorded during the four weeks ending 18 June 2016.
Nielsen’s UK head of retailer and business, Mike Watkins, said, “It remains a tough trading environment for the big supermarkets, but changes made over the last year in lowering prices, fewer promotions, edited ranges and improved customer service seem to be having an impact.” Watkins also commented that he was optimistic about supermarket recovery in the coming year.
It is not estimated whether or not the Brexit will affect these sales figures or shopper behaviour in the short term.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aoife Lawless. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
