// Grocery sales in the UK increase by over 22% compared to the same period in 2019
// For the first time during the Covid-19 outbreak sales surged for beer, wine and spirits
Data has revealed that grocery sales at UK supermarkets during the week ending March 14 increased by over 22 per cent compared to the same period last year.
This is the same as an additional £467 million more in purchases than this time last year, according to new data released from Nielsen.
The significant rise in sales is attributed to the increased stockpiling amid fears around the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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In the same time period, Nielsen’s data shows that UK consumers continued to increase their stockpiling of grocery, health and personal care items.
Household and pet care items saw the biggest increase with sales increasing by 65 per cent.
This was closely followed by shelf stable food, which saw sales rise by 62 per cent, while health, beauty, toiletries and baby care items rose by 46 per cent.
There was also a significant increase in sales of frozen food and for the first time during the Covid-19 outbreak sales surged by 11 per cent for beer, wine and spirits.
Shoppers have also continued to stockpile toilet tissue and facial tissues, which experienced significantly faster growth compared to the previous week, despite rationing sanctions implemented by many retailers.
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