nters and Waitrose are continuing to enjoy the best of retail sales, according to the latest trading figures published by Nielsen.It claimed that for the 12 weeks ending June 22 Aldi saw the greatest increase of all retailers up 24.3% in value year-on-year, Iceland saw value sales up 4.4% and Lidl enjoyed 3.4% growth.
But whilst aggregate sales value growth for the UK's major supermarkets in the four weeks to June 22 was up 2.3% year-on-year, Waitrose bucked the trend with a storming 8.4% increase in sales.
Mike Watkins, Nielsen's UK head of retailer and business insight, said: "With real household incomes still under pressure and consumers shopping around for the best deals, supermarkets have maintained in-store promotions and the percentage of spend on offer remained broadly unchanged. Some retailers are also investing considerably in fuel savings or money-off vouchers as a way of differentiating from the competition."
Sales of beers, wines and spirits were down 0.1%, whilst what Nielsen describes as the 'engine room' of supermarket growths, packaged grocery (+1.4%) and household (-1.4%) also failed to keep pace with inflation.
Sainsbury had the highest year-on-year sales value growth (+2.3%) amongst the top five supermarkets, and was the only major multiple not to lose market share compared to the corresponding 12 last year.
Watkins added: "Sainsbury had another strong period, being the only one of the top four to outperform the market in terms of sales growths. The improved sales momentum continued at Morrisons during the four week period with new selling areas coming on stream.
"Tesco looks to have stabilised sales, whilst ASDA's performance was set against a very strong period last year. However, the top four sales growths were somewhat lower than that of the discounters, Waitrose and M&S.
"With shopper disloyalty a factor in any four week period, the timing of advertising and promotional activity is key. So with no major 'event' to advertise around, growths have been more dependent on regular, monthly shopping trips. Consequently, Aldi have outperformed the market significantly due to a 9% increase in spend by shoppers per visit."
