Total till sales growth increased at UK supermarkets by 3.8% in the four weeks ending 14th June 2025, up from 3% recorded in May, according to new data released by NielsenIQ (NIQ).
The data also revealed a continued effort by shoppers to find the best prices and promotions with in-store visits up by 4.5% growing ahead of online (+1.5%).
However, the data found that the average spend per visit fell by -2.5% to £18.61, continuing the trend seen throughout 2025 as shoppers continue to hunt for savings.
It said the uplift in sales was likely due to warmer weather facilitating al fresco and at-home dining, as well as a sunny Father’s Day encouraging shoppers to celebrate with family.
However, waning consumer confidence and continuing inflation means UK shoppers are still shopping with caution as unit growths were down -0.7%, it said.
Despite this there was a shift in shoppers’ diets towards healthier eating habits. The largest category shifts were big pot yogurts (+29%) followed by frozen fruit (+21%); vitamins (+15%) and healthier snacks such as rice cakes (+18%) and sushi (+15%).
The news comes as recent research found that European consumers are prioritising splashing out on indulgent foods that ‘nourish both mind and body’ at a despite cost-of-living pressures.
In terms of retailer performance over the past 12 weeks, both Tesco (+6.6%) and Sainsbury’s (+5.8%) benefited from new shoppers and more frequent visits. Ocado continued to lead growth (+15.6%) and Waitrose (+5.5%) also had good sales momentum.
Mike Watkins, head of Retailer and Business Insight at NielsenIQ, said: “In the first six weeks of summer 2025, shoppers have spent £700m more and 75% (£521m) of that has been in fresh and chilled foods. This perhaps indicates the shift of spend not just towards convenient fresh food options but towards a more healthy and nutritious diet.”
Watkins added: “A sustained period of summer weather through to the first week of September would be helpful to the industry as this would tip the balance back to positive unit growth.”
