Top end supermarket Waitrose and value chains Aldi and Lidl have been the best performers in the grocery sector in recent months, according to new figures.
The companies, which focus on opposite ends of the market, led the market in terms of sales growth, according to data gathered by research firm Kantar Worldpanel. In terms of year-on-year growth, during the 12 weeks to July 10, Aldi enjoyed a rise of 20.2 per cent, Lidl 15.6 per cent and Waitrose 9 per cent.
Sales growth of 5.6 per cent at Morrisons compares with 4.4 per cent at Sainsbury's, 4.3 per cent at Tesco and 1.9 per cent at Asda.
According to a report by the Telegraph newspaper, Kantar's results show that while the more affluent people in society are happy to continue to spend on luxury food and drink items, many others are opting for low-cost options in order to ensure household budgets go further.
An improved performance in recent weeks has seen the grocery sector start to turn things around following the slump which hit after the Royal Wedding and Easter weekend in April. In-store promotions will have certainly played a part.
In the four weeks to July 10, like-for-like grocery sales increased 3.3 per cent year-on-year, which compares with a 2.5 per cent rise during the four weeks to May 15.
