UK Supermarkets Report Record £13bn Christmas Sales Despite Rising Food Inflation

Grocery spending surged in December 2024, driven by premium own-label products and festive indulgences, as food price inflation reached its highest level since March 2024.

Grocery sales hit a record £13bn in the four weeks leading up to December 29, 2024, with the average household spending £460 on festive groceries.
Food price inflation rose to 3.7%, its highest level since March 2024, marking a significant jump from November's 2.6%.
Premium own-label products saw a 14.6% sales increase, with items like Tesco's champagne outperforming luxury brands in consumer tests.
Online grocery spending reached a record £1.6bn, though in-store visits also surged, making December the busiest month for supermarkets since March 2020.
Major chains like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, and Marks & Spencer posted sales growth, while Asda experienced a 5.8% decline, struggling with operational challenges.

The Independent

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