British households spent greater than £12 billion on groceries over Christmas, the very best quantity on file, new figures present.
The overall worth of gross sales has risen due to rising meals and beverage prices, not as a result of individuals are spending extra, in accordance with Kantar’s month-to-month monitor.
In truth, gross sales quantity decreased 1% throughout December in comparison with the identical interval final yr, indicating that consumers are going through a way more costly grocery retailer, Kantar stated.
The skyrocketing prices are mirrored in British households spending on conventional Christmas meals final month.
The amount of cash spent on mince pies elevated by practically a fifth in December, regardless of gross sales quantity barely rising. And folks spent 16% extra on Christmas desserts, however solely 6% when it comes to quantity.
Nevertheless, there was excellent news within the information, as grocery worth inflation eased barely throughout December, declining to 14.four% from 14.6% the earlier month, marking the second straight month-to-month decline.
Kantar’s month-to-month report wanting on the spending habits of 30,000 households throughout Britain additionally revealed that individuals proceed to ditch manufacturers in favor of grocery store own-brand merchandise.
Gross sales of retailer personal manufacturers elevated 13.three% in December, in contrast with a four.7% enhance in branded strains.
Many retailers additionally elevated their own-brand premium ranges over Christmas, with gross sales of these strains rising by 10.2%, reaching over £700m in complete for the primary time.
Tesco’s Most interesting vary dominated when it comes to gross sales, whereas Aldi and Lidl loved vital progress of their premium personal manufacturers.
In the meantime, the grocery store giants proceed to dominate UK shopper spending, with Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons accounting for greater than two-thirds of all spending.
Nevertheless, Aldi retained its title of quickest rising grocery retailer, having fun with a 27% enhance in gross sales year-over-year and taking its market share to 9.1%, from 7.7% final yr.
Fraser McKevitt, Kantar’s head of retail and shopper data, stated: “Month-to-month grocery gross sales had been £1.1bn increased in December than final yr, surpassing the £12bn mark for the primary time.
“Worth gross sales are up considerably, however grocery worth inflation is the actual driver behind it, relatively than elevated purchases.
“That is the second month in a row that grocery worth inflation has fallen, elevating hopes that the worst is over.
“Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a painfully excessive quantity on the present fee, affecting how and what we purchase in shops.”