Indies see 70 percent increase in lockdown sales

Independent retailers have witnessed phenomenal increase in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 69.3 per cent year-on-year jump in sales during the 12 weeks to 14 June, according to the latest Kantar data.

The larger convenience sector, which includes smaller formats of major multiples alongside symbols and independents, has accounted for 14.7 per cent of all sales in the past four weeks.

“This is still considerably higher than normal levels, but it has receded from April’s peak of 16.3 per cent,” commented Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar.

Co-op has been a major beneficiary of this trend, with its network of local stores helping it to accelerate growth to 34.5 per cent over 12 weeks. The consumer co-operative’s market share now stands at 7.4 per cent, its highest figure since March 2001.

The market share of symbols and independents has grown to 2.6 per cent, from 1.7 per cent in the same period last year.

Online grocer Ocado stood behind the indies in sales growth with 42.2 per cent annual increase, which helped it to achieve its highest ever market share – hitting 1.7 per cent over the past 12 weeks.

Online grocery sales continued the strong performance this month, with sales rising by 91 per cent over the four weeks.

Total sales growth over the 12 weeks of lockdown period has been 13.7 per cent, and 18.9 per cent in the last four weeks.

The report also noted the consumers inching back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns as lockdown rules began to relax.

“Households made 77 million fewer trips to the grocers in the latest four weeks compared with last year, but that’s still 19 million more than in May, reflecting the slight easing of government restrictions,” McKevitt commented.

“Once in the shops, customers are continuing to buy more than usual, spending 42 per cent more per trip than in June last year at £26.37 on average.”