Sainsbury’s, the UK’s second-largest supermarket chain, has reported a 5% rise in food sales for the first half of the year, reflecting growing market share and increased demand for its premium range, Taste the Difference.
This growth has positioned Sainsbury’s as a top performer in the British grocery market, with a market share reaching 15.2%, just behind Tesco.
CEO Simon Roberts attributed the strong food sales to shifting consumer habits, with more customers opting to eat at home and treat themselves. “We’re making the biggest market share gains in the industry, with continued strong volume growth,” Roberts said, noting that shoppers were spending more on high-quality products as the cost of eating out rises.
The company has focused heavily on food, investing in its Aldi price-match scheme, launching 600 new products in its convenience stores, and driving loyalty through Nectar prices. Roberts estimated that 25% of Sainsbury’s weekly shoppers are new customers, indicating that these initiatives are paying off.
Despite strong performance in groceries, the group faced headwinds from its struggling Argos division. Argos sales fell by 5% in the six months to September 14, with unseasonable summer weather, consumer caution around big-ticket purchases, and challenges in online traffic impacting its sales. Sainsbury’s responded with promotional activity and discounting, helping to improve Argos’s performance in the latter part of the half-year period.
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