Latest data from Nielsen shows consumer spending in the grocery sector has continued to slow for the third consecutive month, with sales up 1.2% in the last four weeks, compared to 2.5% this time last month.

The researcher suggested the slowdown in spend was due to several factors, including the increased costs of living from rises in energy and fuel prices to the upcoming increase in council tax. Extended uncertainty over Brexit negotiations also appears to be causing shoppers to tighten their grocery budgets.

Nielsen’s latest data indicates that consumers are looking to manage their grocery spend and are choosing to spend less at the Big Four supermarket chains. This contributed to a rise in sales at the discounters Aldi and Lidl, whose combined market share in the last 12 weeks amounted to a high of 16%.

Mike Watkins, Nielsen’s UK Head of Retailer Insight, commented: “The first quarter of 2019 has shown a continued slowdown in consumer spending on grocery, with the average household spend each week on groceries amounting to £71, back to the level last seen in October 2017 (excluding March 2018, where sales were stronger due to the ‘Beast from the East’ which caused people to stock up, and an early Easter).

“This means that grocery spend remains broadly unchanged in the last 18 months despite inflation. We can see a change in shopping behaviour as well as a shift in sentiment as households shop around to make savings.”

In the last 12 weeks, the combined market share of the top four supermarkets was 64.1%, compared with 65.6% last year.

Watkins said: “We can see that the last few weeks have continued to be challenging for retailers. However, there should be brighter times ahead, with Easter on the horizon bringing attractive seasonal promotions to encourage shoppers to spend more on confectionery, snacks and drinks. If this is accompanied by warm spring weather and more clarity over the status of Brexit, this will help to kick-start growth for the big supermarkets and boost sales in time for summer.”

12-weekly % share of grocery market spend by retailer and value sales % change