UK consumers shop local as convenience store sales outpace the growth of the overall grocery market in the last four weeks

• Sales at UK convenience stores grew by 17% in the last four weeks, ahead of the 14% figure for overall total till UK grocery sales 
• Online momentum is maintained with sales up 115% compared to the same time last year

Sales at UK convenience stores grew by almost a fifth (17%)¹ in the last four weeks ending 13th June 2020, as UK consumers in lockdown prioritise shopping at their most local and convenient store, reveals new figures released today from Nielsen.

Demand for convenience shopping has outpaced overall total till sales in the grocery market (14%) during the same period – with 25% of shoppers claiming to shop more at their closest local store than they did pre-Covid². Within this small store format, sales at independent shops and symbol retailers (franchises) also grew by an average of 33% in the last four weeks ending 13th June 2020¹, as shoppers turn to their most local shops to meet their needs.

In contrast, despite this increase in convenience store shopping, Nielsen data shows that overall sales at bricks and mortar grocery retailers grew by only 6%³, whereas online sales grew 115% compared to the same period last year, maintaining the online share of sales at 13% in the last four weeks. The average spend per shopping visit across all formats was £20.32, a decrease of £1.30 compared to the previous four weeks.

Over the last 12 weeks, Iceland (+23%) continues to outperform all other major UK grocery retailers, following a growth in momentum from its new Food Warehouse stores in retail parks, as well as the surge in consumer demand for frozen foods, which grew by 32%⁴ across the industry in the last four weeks. Moreover, sales at the Co-op (+16%) also grew faster than the big four major UK supermarkets, as shoppers continue to find it convenient to do a larger shop at a local convenience store.

Mike Watkins, Nielsen’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said: “After three months of lockdown, UK shoppers have clearly adapted to their new shopping routines and in the last four weeks have shopped in the same way as they did in April and May – fewer visits but bigger trolleys and bigger basket spend. Whilst the dramatic shift to online has been significant, we expect this share of sales to be maintained over the next few months. However, what is just as important is how shoppers have now embraced ‘ultra local’ stores during this time.

Watkins continues: “The sunny and warm weather also helped sales over the hot bank holiday weekend at the end of May, with additional food and drink likely purchased for barbeques as ice creams sales increased by 58%, alcohol by 31%, meat/fish/poultry by 18% and soft drinks were up 11%⁴. Looking ahead, as households slowly ‘de stock’ and as pubs and restaurants are expected to progressively (but slowly) re-open, we still anticipate that the average level for total till grocery sales will grow between +5% and +10% over the next couple of months, and staycations could help to give a further boost to grocery sales.”

Table: 12-weekly % share of grocery market spend by retailer and value sales % change