Grocery sales up 22% in one week

In the UK, data measurement firm Nielsen has reported grocery sales were up 22% for the week ending 14 March, compared to the same period last year.

This increase equates to an additional £467m more in purchases compared to the same week in 2020. “The consequential 22% increase in sales across UK supermarkets is a significant rise compared to the 8% increase in the previous week (week ending 7 March),” ​noted the firm.

Concerning specific categories, household and pet care items saw the biggest increase (65%) in the week ending 14 March, compared to the same period last year. Ambient groceries followed closely behind with an increase of 62%. Nielsen data revealed that health, beauty, toiletries and babycare items rose by 46%.

Significant increases were also observed in sales of frozen food (33%), beer, wine and spirits (11%) and impulse snacking items (18%).

Staple food items also saw a huge surge in sales, noted Nielsen, with pasta increasing by 168%, canned pasta by 148%, canned meat by 147% and canned or packed soup by 118%.

It was not all good news for food brands sold in mainstream retail, however. Some food categories were negatively impacted, including deli and produce items such as sandwiches (-1%), freshly prepared fruit (-5%), and sushi (-16%).

©GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages