SerpApi.Org
Marks & Spencer has clocked up its strongest food sales for three years – thanks to the World Cup and heatwaves.
The High Street retailer gained customers as its grocery sales rose 16 per cent over the 12 weeks to July 12, according to closely watched data from market researchers Worldpanel.
High temperatures and the World Cup also meant that shoppers made 497m trips to supermarkets over the four weeks to July 12, according to Worldpanel. This was the highest figure since March 2020.
Asda was the only supermarket to see sales drop, falling 1 per cent to £4.2billion over the period. Rival Morrisons, which, like Asda, has also struggled in the wake of a private-equity takeover, saw sales rise by 1.4 per cent.
Lidl made the biggest gains of any grocer, with sales rising 8.6 per cent, compared with an increase of just 0.7 per cent at budget rival Aldi.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, said: ‘Sport and sunshine combined to shape shopping habits this month, and England’s run in the tournament had a clear impact on the drinks aisle.’
