A sunny May saw take-home grocery sales in Scotland rise by 5.5% over the four weeks to 18 May 2025, according to the latest Kantar data.
Lesley-Ann Gray, Strategic Insight Director at Kantar, said: “While much of the growth was driven by inflation, the volume of goods sold also rose, up 1.6% compared to the same period last year. Record-breaking sunshine seems to have lifted shopper spirits, prompting more frequent visits and greater interest in seasonal products, even as many households continue to keep a close eye on spending.
“Shoppers responded by making more trips to stores, with almost one extra visit per household on average. The warm weather also influenced purchasing habits, with barbecue-related categories showing strong growth. Although total alcohol sales declined by 3.0% in the latest four weeks, beer and cider performed well, suggesting more outdoor socialising. Sales of fresh sausages increased by 14.3%, while ice cream purchases jumped by 15.6% in May. Shoppers appeared to strike a balance between healthy and indulgent choices. Fresh fruit sales rose by 18.2%, while chocolate saw an even sharper rise of 66% over the same period.
“Even with warmer weather and the rise in volume sales, Scottish consumers remained focused on value last month. Promotions continued to play a key role in helping manage household budgets, accounting for 26.5% of total sales. Own-label products continued to outperform branded alternatives, growing by 5.9% compared to 4.7% for branded, and now represent 50.8% of the market versus 49.2% for brands.
“Over the 12 weeks to 18 May 2025, online was the fastest-growing channel, up 7.6% year on year and now making up 7% of total grocery spend in Scotland. The average online basket reached £63.30. Discounters also recorded strong performance, with overall growth of 5.6%.”
