Growth slows for convenience stores in July as lockdown measures ease

Convenience stores continued to lead the growth in grocery market in July, albeit in a slow pace, as lockdown relaxations take effect, latest market data shows.

Symbols and independents together witnessed a growth of 45.4 per cent year on year in the 12 weeks to 9 August, well below the 59.5 per cent figure in the previous month, according to the Kantar figures.

Overall take-home grocery sales growth slowed to 14.4 per cent, from 16.9 per cent in the previous month. While the total grocery spend of £9.7 billion over the past four weeks is the lowest since February, this is still considerably higher than pre-pandemic levels, the market research agency said.

“While things are far from normal, the data shows a gradual softening of the more extreme lockdown trends in the grocery market,” commented Charlotte Scott, consumer insight director at Kantar.

“The relaxing of rules across much of the country means shoppers are less inclined to stock up their cupboards with regular large trips.  That has seen average spend drop below £25 for the first time since March. However, at £24, it is still a world away from the pre-Covid average of £19 per trip.”

The introduction of mandatory face coverings in English stores has made an impact on shopper numbers, with two million lower trips to supermarkets than would have usually been expected in the week after the rule was adopted.

Online shopping, which has been on ascendency since the pandemic hit, reached another new record market share in the latest four weeks with 13.5 per cent share of all sales. Ocado has also hit a new record this month, registering a market share of 1.8 per cent over the past 12 weeks and growth of 45.5 per cent.