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Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose see 'strong' Christmas sales | Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose see 'strong' Christmas sales |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Discount and premium supermarket chains fared better than mid-range brands over the Christmas period, according to research firm Kantar Worldpanel. | Discount and premium supermarket chains fared better than mid-range brands over the Christmas period, according to research firm Kantar Worldpanel. |
Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose reported strong Christmas growth, Kantar said. Of the UK's "big four" supermarket chains, Sainsbury's outperformed its rivals. | Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose reported strong Christmas growth, Kantar said. Of the UK's "big four" supermarket chains, Sainsbury's outperformed its rivals. |
Morrisons, which reported worse-than-expected festive trading last week, saw its sales and share of the market drop. | Morrisons, which reported worse-than-expected festive trading last week, saw its sales and share of the market drop. |
Researchers Kantar looked at spending for the 12 weeks to 5 January. | Researchers Kantar looked at spending for the 12 weeks to 5 January. |
Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel, said: "Among the big four, only Sainsbury's was able to resist the relentless pressure from the discounters and Waitrose. Now catching up with Asda, it managed to hold share and out-perform the market with year-on-year growth of 3.1%". | |
The supermarket sector in the UK has for some time been regarded as being dominated by the big four: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. | The supermarket sector in the UK has for some time been regarded as being dominated by the big four: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. |
However, in recent years discount supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl have seen their popularity surge, while at the other end of the market, Waitrose has also reported strong growth. | However, in recent years discount supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl have seen their popularity surge, while at the other end of the market, Waitrose has also reported strong growth. |
'Champagne and prosciutto' | 'Champagne and prosciutto' |
In September last year, Aldi reported a 41% increase in annual revenue to £3.9bn. It also expanded the number of its stores by 34 in 2012 and 50 in 2013, expressing confidence in UK consumers' appetite for its goods. | In September last year, Aldi reported a 41% increase in annual revenue to £3.9bn. It also expanded the number of its stores by 34 in 2012 and 50 in 2013, expressing confidence in UK consumers' appetite for its goods. |
Morrisons, the smallest of the big four by market share, has suffered from this increased competition at the value end of the market. | Morrisons, the smallest of the big four by market share, has suffered from this increased competition at the value end of the market. |
Like-for-like sales at Morrisons fell 5.6% in the six weeks to 5 January, the supermarket reported last week. | Like-for-like sales at Morrisons fell 5.6% in the six weeks to 5 January, the supermarket reported last week. |
Kantar's Mr Garner said: "As revealed last week, Morrisons suffered the most among the major supermarkets with its share dropping from 12.0% last year to 11.5% now. | Kantar's Mr Garner said: "As revealed last week, Morrisons suffered the most among the major supermarkets with its share dropping from 12.0% last year to 11.5% now. |
"The absence of an online offering is a major factor in its decline". | "The absence of an online offering is a major factor in its decline". |
Mr Garner told the BBC that Aldi and Lidl are appealing increasingly to a wider range of shoppers as they diversify their offering - selling some luxury products "like champagne and prosciutto ham" as well as basic goods. | Mr Garner told the BBC that Aldi and Lidl are appealing increasingly to a wider range of shoppers as they diversify their offering - selling some luxury products "like champagne and prosciutto ham" as well as basic goods. |
However, he added he did not think most UK consumers would start to do their entire shop in one of the discount chains "because their offering is too limited". | However, he added he did not think most UK consumers would start to do their entire shop in one of the discount chains "because their offering is too limited". |
Kantar said Waitrose - at the more premium end of the supermarket sector - saw sales growth of 6.4% for the Christmas period compared with a year earlier, while Aldi was up 29.4% and Lidl 17.5%. | Kantar said Waitrose - at the more premium end of the supermarket sector - saw sales growth of 6.4% for the Christmas period compared with a year earlier, while Aldi was up 29.4% and Lidl 17.5%. |
Tesco saw growth of just 0.2%, said Kantor, Asda's sales grew by 0.8%. | Tesco saw growth of just 0.2%, said Kantor, Asda's sales grew by 0.8%. |
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