UK supermarket sales topped £2.8bn in the week of the coronation, exceeding the £2.7bn recorded during the Jubilee week in June 2022, new data reveals.
The data from NIQ shows that during the week ending 6 May 2023, UK shoppers embraced celebrating the coronation, with party accessories (+107%), cream and custard (+73%), sparkling wine (+71%), and champagne (+70%) seeing the highest category growths compared to the previous year.
Many shoppers opted to celebrate the coronation and bank holiday weekend by creating their own teatime treats, as NIQ data reveals an uplift in sales for ingredients such as fresh dough/pastry (+56%), eggs (+45%), and sugar & sweeteners (+40%). There was also an increase in sales of beer, wine and spirits (+23%) compared to last year.
Mike Watkins, NIQ’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said: “The latest figures show that despite many being financially constrained in the cost-of-living crisis, shoppers still allowed themselves to indulge in additional groceries and treats so they could celebrate the coronation and long weekend.
“However, this is a balancing act – while one week they are allowing themselves to indulge, the weeks in between still indicate cost-saving measures, such as stocking up on frozen goods or ambient – shelf stable – goods that are cheaper and last longer. The coronation has added a welcome boost to grocery sales, with many shoppers taking advantage of retailers’ discounts and other incentives.”
