In-store
visits to supermarkets hit their highest level since March 2020 as consumer
confidence returned, according to market research firm Kantar.
Online
sales, however, fell in December by 3.7% against 2020 and accounted for 12.2%
of sales.
Overall,
spending on groceries hit £11.7bn over the four weeks to 26 December as people
splurged on treats.
That marks a
0.2% decrease from the record-breaking figures in 2020 when strict coronavirus
restrictions were in place.
Fraser
McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: "People
seized the chance to enjoy Christmas with friends and family after last year's
muted festivities."
Although
formal rules restricting festivities weren't in place this last Christmas,
shopping data suggests some opted to stock up and celebrate at home again,
rather than in a pub or a restaurant, Mr McKevitt said many business listings.
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The most
popular shopping day took place on 23 December.
"Shoppers
clearly trusted that supermarket shelves would remain well-stocked and they
didn't feel the need to rush out much earlier to get their favorite festive
treats," he added.
Total UK
grocery sales reached £31.7bn over the 12-week period, down 3% versus 2020 but
up 8% against pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.
Festive
treats
Spending on
Christmas dinner items was broadly flat, while people spent more on festive
goodies, the new figures show.
Sales of
mince pies, for example, hit £62m - up 7% in 2020. About £61m was spent on
Christmas chocolates, marking a jump of 21%.
The research
also suggests some consumers were slightly nervous about over-indulging, with
an 8% rise in the sale of indigestion remedies business listings.
And while
the healthier sprout saw sales dented, chilled and frozen vegetarian options
increased in popularity.
Supermarkets'
premium own-brand ranges also fared better than usual as shoppers splashed out.
Asda's Extra Special and Iceland's Luxury ranges saw the fastest growth.
But Kantar
pointed out that rising costs have also added to customers' bills.
It said that
grocery price inflation, which tracks how quickly the cost of food items
increases over time, reached 3.5% in December, adding nearly £15 to shoppers'
average monthly grocery bill free business listings.
The official
UK figures showed that inflation hit a 10-year high as the cost of energy,
fuel, and clothing jumped.
It came
after food and drink industry figures warned that the soaring cost of raw
materials and ingredients was having a "terrifying" impact on
consumer prices.
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