Fresh fruit, “free-from” food and alcohol have topped the list of the fastest growing grocery products in 2017.

According to Nielsen’s annual analysis of sales at UK supermarkets and convenience stores, spend on fresh fruit grew 3.8 per cent or £176.4 million in 2017, while free from products saw an 18.7 per cent rise in spend representing a £146.6 million increase.

Alcohol dominated the top 10 fastest growing products list with spirits, sparkling wine, ale and stout growing 3.8 per cent, 10.7 per cent and six per cent respectively throughout the year.

Budweiser also topped the list as the fastest growing grocery products this year, with spend rising 14.9 per cent or £49.2 million.

Continuing the contrast between alcohol and healthy foods, avocados, raspberries and Alpro soya milk rose 16 per cent, nine per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

“Supermarkets have done a good job at protecting shoppers from the brunt of rising costs, however, it’s still been an anxious year for households about their grocery bills,” Nielsen’s head of grocery analytics Ian Mansley said.

“Despite rising prices, shoppers still want to treat themselves with good quality and healthier food but also indulging and enjoying oneself by drinking and dining more at home, particularly if households look to cut costs by not going out as much.”

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