Non-grocery sales in UK supermarkets will grow by more than 40% over the next five years, and will account for almost one pound in every eight spent in stores by 2012, according to the latest research from international food and grocery expert IGD.
IGD’s Balancing Food and Non-Food In-store report predicts supermarket sales of non-grocery in the UK will grow twice as fast as the supermarket sector as a whole over the next five years, with overall sales rising from £10.4bn this year to £14.8bn in 2012.
“We foresee rapid growth in non-grocery over the next five years as shoppers embrace the convenience and price on offer. Even an economic slowdown could offer an opportunity for retailers who can offer real value in non-food purchases,” says the report.
But he warns that retailers could be losing out by failing to meet shopper expectations on range and customer service. Only one in five shoppers interviewed shopped for non-grocery at supermarkets because of the range on offer.
IGD also foresees potential for the enormous growth in premium and ethical food sales to be replicated in non-grocery.
