With only one-third of shoppers expected to spend less on Christmas food and drink than last year, the £4.2 billion represents 3.6% more than the corresponding week last year and 50% more than a typical week in the year.
“With Christmas Day falling in a Monday, people are likely to delay their big Christmas shop until the final week and we expect nearly all shoppers will visit a grocery retailer at least twice that week,” said Mike Watkins, Nielsen’s UK head of retailer insight. “There’ll be a particular surge between Thursday 21 and Saturday 23 – when over half of shoppers are likely to be shopping for the second time that week – with one in five shoppers indicating Friday will be the preferred day, allowing the weekend to be spent with friends and family.
“The seven days trading available up until the Sunday is good news for the supermarkets which should benefit the big out of town stores in particular as shoppers take advantage of Christmas promotions and stock up on fresh foods.”
During the last four weeks (ending 2 December), takings at grocery retailers tills was 3.4% higher versus the same period a year ago, however, excluding the discounters it was 1.3% higher².
Among the Big Four, Tesco had the most improved performance over the last 12 weeks with sales up 3.4% year-on-year, followed by Sainsbury’s at 1.9%. Outside of the discounters, Marks & Spencer had the best sales growth figures, up 4.6% year-on-year.
