M&S has emerged as a leading grocery retailer in Middle England, overtaking Waitrose in market dominance for the first time outside festive periods.
- Unpublished market data reveals M&S’s growth has been unmatched, with notable increases in sales outpacing competitors.
- M&S increased its market share to 4.03%, surpassing Waitrose’s 3.91% for the four weeks ending 3 November.
- M&S experienced an 11% year-on-year rise in sales, outperforming other supermarkets like Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco.
- Analysts attribute M&S’s success to robust growth in clothing and food sales, with innovative strategies and strong value perception.
In a significant shift in the grocery market, M&S has taken the top position among grocery retailers in Middle England, overtaking its competitor, Waitrose, outside of the typical festive period. The transition in market leadership is backed by unpublished data that underscores M&S’s impressive performance over the past month.
M&S achieved a market share of 4.03% for the four weeks to 3 November, an increase from 3.76% the previous year. This surpasses Waitrose, which saw its share decrease from 4.02% to 3.91% in the same period. This data indicates a notable shift in consumer preference, with M&S gaining ground over a traditionally strong competitor.
The year-on-year sales data further highlights M&S’s remarkable achievements, as it reported an 11% surge in sales, significantly higher than the growth rates of other retailers such as Lidl at 6.9%, Sainsbury’s at 6.3%, and Tesco at 5.8%. Waitrose, in contrast, experienced a modest growth of 1%, only outperforming Asda and the Co-op.
Analysts have pointed to the latest Kantar data as an indication of M&S’s growing momentum in the retail market. The retailer’s enhanced market position was bolstered by a surge in profits, driven largely by successful sales strategies in clothing and food sectors. M&S’s emphasis on produce, meat, and dairy, alongside their innovative approach, has contributed to a record in value perception.
M&S has demonstrated continued success with its reported fourth consecutive year of market share growth. Their strategic focus on innovation and value has allowed them to capture the interest of consumers seeking quality and affordability.
M&S’s innovative strategies and strong market performance have positioned it as the leading grocer in Middle England, surpassing Waitrose.
