People became more confident about shopping in slotxo supermarkets in April as blocking restrictions were easedUntil continued increase in sales while online grocery sales growth slowed.There has been a sharp increase in online shopping since the coronavirus blockade first started in March last year.But while online sales are still high, Nielsen said that the shopper's habits were obvious. "Change again"In March, online grocery sales were up 92% year over year as shoppers continue to vie for shipping channels.But that growth slowed to 25 percent in April, as traffic of brick-and-mortar stores increased 3 percent and until sales rose 4.6 percent.It said UK shoppers spent £ 8 billion on groceries in the four weeks to April 24,
compared with £ 1.3 billion online.Lidl and Aldi, which do not have an online shopping service, received the greatest support as more people shop in stores, while the "big four" supermarkets Asda and Sainsbury's grew the fastest.As blocking restrictions have declined across the UK, it is clear that shopper behavior has changed again with increased confidence and a growing number of returning to the store," said Mike Watkins. NielsenIQ Head of Retail Insights in EnglandWhile online sales remain high. But we noticed there was a rebalance in the shopper's baskets as consumers distributed their spending more than the main block of money, ”he added.
Optimism about the economy
It comes amid growing optimism about the UK's economic recovery following the sharp slump in 2020.On Wednesday, Virgin Money said its outlook on the UK economy improved as the coronavirus vaccination program continued.Chief Executive David Duffy told the BBC that since unnecessary stores reopened in April, credit card spending has risen 25 percent, close to pre-outbreak levels.There was a desire to come back and spend it, and that happened," he said.It echoed the comments of Barclays boss Jes Staley, who last week predicted the economy would be the biggest boom since World War II as a result of pent-up consumer demand.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday said "A promising signal" for the economy, adding that consumers with a lot of cash will drive recovery.He told the Wall Street Journal, "While we look forward to opening it again in the weeks and months to come, there are signs that there must be a careful optimism and we can see that in the data and I hope that will last all year.
