The third national lockdown has resulted in increased grocery sales, according to data from Kantar.

Latest data from the research consultancy shows take-home grocery sales rose by 12.5% during the 12 weeks to 21 February 2021. Meanwhile, sales growth accelerated to 15.1% in the past four weeks, the fastest rate since June 2020.

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Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at the company, said this was due to lockdown changing consumers’ behaviour. “The pandemic has been changing the way we shop for a full year,” he said.

Online grocery sales reached a new record share in the four weeks to 21 February, accounting for 15.4% of sales, up from 8.7% last year.

Find out more on our coronavirus information hub for retailers