ACS

The latest TNS Worldpanel grocery market share figures provide post-Christmas cheer for the UK’s major retailers with a return to confident consumer spending, despite the UK remaining in a recession over the festive period.

According to TNS, the most recent figures point to 2009 enjoying a Premium Christmas – the latest indication that recessionary buying behaviour is all but over. It is a stark contrast to the picture painted by last year’s figures.

According to Edward Garner, Communications Director at TNS Worldpanel: “Christmas is traditionally a time when shoppers prioritise the quality of food over value – but the recession put a stop to this in 2008. We are now seeing signs of a return to more traditional Christmas purchasing habits with a growth in Premium ranges, particularly Tesco Finest, over the festive period.”

As an indication that consumers threw recessionary caution to the wind this Christmas, both Waitrose and Sainsbury’s saw higher-than-expected sales. Waitrose recorded the highest growth in both market share and turnover since August 2005, while Sainsbury’s continued its strong run with a market share increase for the 11th consecutive report.

The positive outlook in this sector is reflected in the strong performance of most of the UK’s largest retailers this month.

Morrisons finished a good year with a turnover increase of 10.3% - almost twice the market rate - driven by a strong Christmas loyalty promotion in the run-up to Christmas. Similarly Tesco and Asda have reaped the rewards of popular alcohol promotions over the festive period.

At the other end of the retail spectrum, the Discounters have struggled as consumer spending reignites. Aldi has maintained its share of the grocery market, although comparisons must be drawn with last Christmas when Aldi recorded a 25% growth. This Christmas, Lidl has shown the lowest growth for seven years and has lost market share for the first time since March 2004 – indicating that the Discounters have, for the time being, fallen out of favour.