UK supermarkets enjoy £17m Easter and Mother's Day sales boom
UK supermarkets saw a sharp rise in sales ahead of Mothering Sunday and Easter. Shoppers spent £17 million more in the week before the holiday, pushing growth up by 9.3%. The early timing of Mothering Sunday and a head start on Easter purchases drove the increase.
Total till sales across major supermarkets climbed by 4.3% over the four weeks ending 21st March. Online shopping also surged, with a 10.6% jump in sales and a market share now at 13.9%.
The boost came as Mothering Sunday fell two weeks earlier than last year. This shift encouraged shoppers to begin Easter preparations sooner. Chocolate confectionery sales rose by 22% in value and 7.9% in units, while Easter egg sales alone jumped by 44% in value and 37% in units.
Average spending per visit grew by 4.2%, reaching £20.29. However, store visits dropped slightly by 1.1% compared to last year. Online shopping continued its upward trend, now accounting for nearly 14% of the market. Several retailers gained ground in market share. Ocado expanded its share to 15%, while Lidl hit an 8% high over 12 weeks, backed by 9.7% sales growth. Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and Tesco also saw their shares rise. M&S performed strongly, thanks to Mothering Sunday spending, its 'Dine In' promotions, and new seasonal flavours.
The early timing of Mothering Sunday and a rush on Easter shopping lifted supermarket sales. Online growth and higher spending per trip offset a small decline in store visits. Retailers like Ocado, Lidl, and M&S benefited most from the seasonal surge.
