Lidl has reported its strongest UK Christmas trading period, with sales rising by 7 per cent year-on-year in the four weeks to 24 December, surpassing the ÂŁ1 billion milestone for the first time.
Two million more shoppers visited its stores during the festive season, lured by cut-price champagne and an âaffordableâ party food range, which saw sales jump by almost a third.
The German-owned grocer revealed a 25 per cent rise in champagne sales, the equivalent of 11 million glasses poured, while British turkeys remained a favourite, selling at a rate of one every second. Customers also snapped up 16 million pigs in blankets, 8 million stuffing balls and 2 million litres of gravy.
Ryan McDonnell, Lidl GBâs chief executive, said the retailerâs blend of âunbeatable quality and valueâ had drawn more shoppers than ever, adding that the company would âbuild on our momentumâ through continued store openings and competitive pricing.
Lidlâs market share has continued to climb as rising living costs push consumers to seek value. Industry analysts at Kantar recently named Lidl as the countryâs fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar grocer, edging closer to Morrisonsâ position as the UKâs fifth largest supermarket.
Although it represents slower growth than the 12 per cent increase recorded over the same period a year ago â when inflation on food and drink was more pronounced â Lidlâs performance stands out as many shoppers have reined in supermarket spending to focus on smaller indulgences such as beauty and entertainment products.
The supermarket sector will face further scrutiny in the coming week, as Sainsburyâs and Marks & Spencer unveil their festive figures. Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium has warned of a potential âspending squeezeâ in January, with consumer confidence taking a hit towards the end of the year.
