Symbols and indies see sales slump in unseasonable weather

Kantar data has revealed that traditional summertime spending has been ‘disrupted’ by unseasonable weather among grocers, with symbol and independent stores particularly suffering.

The sector saw a -4.1% loss in sales year-on-year, in the 12 weeks to 11 June 2023 compared with the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, the sector’s share dropped from 1.6% to 1.5% in this period.

The Co-op is also seeing negative results, with a -2.8% fall in sales and -0.3% fall in grocery market share.

These results come hand-in-hand with the findings that, across all grocers, there was the lowest increase in take-home grocery sales, at just +1%, in the four weeks to 9 June 2024 due to weather conditions, with growth in footfall also stalling.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: “The sixth wettest spring on record hasn’t just dampened our spirits leading into summer, it’s made a mark on the grocery sector too as it seems Britons are being put off from popping to the shops. We’re not yet reaching for those typical summertime products and are making some purchases you wouldn’t expect in June.” 

The unpredictable weather saw sales of suncare down by 25% and fresh soups up by 24% year-on-year, Kantar found. Asda was the only major retailer to similarly see a sales drop, losing -4% of sales in the comparable 12-week periods.

However, it was the sixteenth consecutive monthly fall in inflation, and while 22% said they’re still struggling financially, 36% households described themselves as financially comfortable, the highest proportion since 2021.

McKevitt added: “The cost-of-living crisis isn’t over – far from it. However, costs are falling in nearly one-third of the grocery categories we track, including toilet tissues, butter and milk. That’s a big increase from last year, when just 1% of markets were declining.”

McKevitt highlighted the sales opportunities of the Euros football tournament taking place at the moment, ‘whether or not’ the results are positive for England.

He continued: “The grocers are looking to entice in consumers enjoying this year’s [Euros] tournament, with the proportion of beer and lager sales on promotion leaping up to over 40% in the latest four weeks. Retailers will be competing with fans heading out of the house to watch the football as well as with each other.” 

Read more Kantar news