Following a robust December, sales in the U.K. grocery retail sector were subdued in January as the expected post-Christmas lull was further depressed as a result of snow that covered much of the country in January.

Mirroring the sentiments of consumers in many other countries, the British are feeling increasingly positive about their job prospects and personal finances but remain cautious

In the UK, sales in the grocery sector grew 3.1 percent in the four weeks ending November 28, according to The Nielsen Company, a modest showing compared to last month’s sales growth of 4.2 percent and 5.6 percent in November 2008.

It is now accepted wisdom that the recession has essentially come to an end. And as it recedes, observers are beginning to look at the damage wrought as well as how retailers, manufacturers and consumers changed their behavior. A new report from The Nielsen Company, “Reading the Recession,” reveals how the recession has affected the leading brands, consumer behavior and job vacancies. Using key economic indicators, consumer research, recruitment data, web site measurement and advertising spend, Nielsen has analyzed the impact of the recession on the UK and identified sectors showing early signs of recovery.

The number of people in the UK using smartphones increased 10 percent between the second and third quarters of this year, from 5.6 million to 6.2 million.

Web sites related to mobile phones – both handsets and services – showed the highest traffic growth in the UK, according to new research from The Nielsen Company.  Overall, the sector posted 58 percent growth on a year-to-year basis.  Visits to Nokia’s site grew by 203 percent, while Vodafone and O2 also posted solid growth (91% and 79%, respectively).  At the same time, schemes that enable consumers to recycle their old mobiles for cash drove more people to related web sites for information. 
Perhaps as a sign of the times, the …

After a month of strong growth, grocery sales in the UK took a step back in July, due largely to poor weather that dampened the traditional BBQ season.  Sales grew 4 percent in the four weeks ended August 8, 2009 compared to the same period a year ago, according to Nielsen’s monthly survey.  Unit growth was up 2.3 percent.
“The poor weather resulted in shoppers making fewer shopping trips this year.  But with grocers increasing promotional activity, with 33 percent of sales this month being on promotion, we expect monthly growth …

Warmer weather seems to have thawed the wallets of British consumers, as sales at grocery chains increased 6.6 percent in the four weeks ending July 11th, the best underlying growth in more than 24 months, according to new research from The Nielsen Company.  The strong results were driven by sales in fresh foods, soft drinks and general merchandise, the latter showing growth in the high single digits.  Unit growth also rose by 2 percent across the sector. 
“Shoppers continue to respond to offers, with another all-time high for promotional spend at …

Spurred by warmer weather and slowing food inflation, grocery sales in the UK grew 5 percent in the 12 weeks ending June 13th, and annual gains to date stood at 3.6 percent, according to Nielsen.  All of the top British grocery retailers posted gains, with one exception, and Waitrose in particular turned in an impressive performance with 8.4 percent growth.  The chain has attracted almost a quarter million new shoppers in the last month, and consumer spend grew more than 5 percent.
“Waitrose has gained strong momentum going into the summer, …

UK grocery sales grew 5.1 percent in the 12 week period ended May 16th, largely due to the record number of products on promotion according to new research from Nielsen.  Morrisons continued the solid performance it has been exhibiting over the last few months with sales growth of 7.9 percent over the same period a year ago, while Asda and Sainsbury also posted gains of 7.4 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively.
“With a record of 32 percent of all sales being goods on offer in the four weeks to May 2009, …