UK grocery inflation ticks up to 2.5%
UK grocery inflation ticked higher in the four weeks to 4 October, as shoppers sought autumn staples, according to figures released on Tuesday by Worldpanel by Numerator.
Like-for-like grocery inflation increased to 2.5% from 2.3% in the previous four-week period, with prices rising fastest in markets such as water and squash, skincare and skin cleansing. Prices fell fastest in butters and spreads, chocolate and cheese.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel by Numerator, said: "With the Autumn Budget fast approaching, the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on the minds of shoppers. And the cost of filling up a car is only adding to the pressure on household budgets. More than half tell us they’re very or extremely worried about petrol prices, and almost one in three say it’s already taking a real toll on their finances. Until the Chancellor sets out his plans, we expect that caution to carry on showing up at the till, with shoppers leaning more heavily on promotions to keep their grocery spend under control.
"With spending on promotions in the last month up by more than a quarter of a billion pounds compared with last year, special offers remain a key tool for shoppers looking to keep their grocery bills in check, or to make pricier items and larger packs more affordable."
Among individual grocers, Lidl’s market share rose to 8.6% from 8.2% at the same time last year, with sales up 7.1%.
Ocado’s market share ticked up to 2.2% from 2.0%, with sales up 12.4%, while Morrisons maintained a market share of 8.3%, with sales up 1.8%.
Market share at Tesco nudged down to 27.8% from 27.9%, with sales up 1%, while Sainsbury’s market share was 15.2%, down from 15.3%, with sales up 1.3%.
Aldi’s market share was 10.5%, down from 10.6%, with sales 0.4% higher. Asda’s market share fell to 11.5% from 11.8%, with sales down 0.5%, while Co-op’s market share was steady at 5.4%, with sales up 1.8%.