Tesco Market Share Continues Fall While Iceland Sun Waxes
The latest grocery share figures from Kantar Worldpanel for the 12 weeks ending 22 January 2012, show Tesco dropping in market share while Iceland puts in its strongest performance in 10 years.
The grocery market is growing at 4.2% per year which remains below the food inflation rate as shoppers continue to seek value for money.
Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel, explains: “There were mixed fortunes among the big four supermarkets this month. The completion of the Netto conversion has led to an all-time record performance for Asda, lifting its share from 16.9% a year ago to 17.5% now. Sainsbury’s has also grown its share to 16.7%, consolidating its strongest hold of the market since March 2003.
“In contrast, there is considerable pressure on Tesco, with its growth rate of 2.1% only half the total market average. This has caused its share to fall by 0.6 percentage points.
“Iceland’s 2.1% share is at its highest for 10 years as shoppers continue to manage down their spending. With bids for the chain closing today, these figures are promising for potential buyers and show the importance of a good value-for-money message in today’s grocery market.”
Elsewhere, Aldi and Lidl continue their strong run, both increasing their shares to 3.5% and 2.5% respectively. However, the disappearance of Netto means that the size of the total discount sector is relatively unchanged at 6%.
Grocery inflation stands at 5.7%* for the 12 week period ending 22 January 2012. This is another decrease from the recent peak of 6.2% we reported for November last year and we expect to see further decreases during 2012.
Morrisons Launch New Frozen Convenience Range Codenamed 'M'
Morrisons is launching its first M Kitchen frozen convenience range.
The launch is part of the wider M Kitchen roll out that will see more than 300 “restaurant-quality” recipes available in-store.
The frozen launch follows the unveiling late last year of the chilled range that included M Kitchen Bistro, a collaboration with five of the UK’s leading chefs, including Aldo Zilli and Pierre Koffmann.
The new M Kitchen frozen convenience range of English, Chinese, Indian and Italian meals was developed by Neil Nugent, Morrisons executive chef and head of innovation, and his team of chefs in the M Kitchen.
The new range comprises 29 classic dishes, eleven of which are brand new recipes, including Satay Noodles, Cumberland Pie and Sundried Tomato & Mascarpone Pasta.
All items in the range will be priced at £2 or two for £3, and £3.50 for the family-sized options.
Morrisons commercial director Richard Hodgson said: “The launch of M Kitchen frozen range is another important step forward for Morrisons, growing a range of products that customers will literally want to cross the road to buy, making Morrisons a destination for dining in.”
Taywell, the luxury ice cream and sorbet maker, has officially gone nationwide for the first time after winning a listing with wholesaler Costco.
The Kent-based company, which recently won a 'Q' Quality Food Award, is initially supplying Costco with its popular Honeycomb ice cream in one-litre tubs, with other ice cream and sorbet variants set to follow soon.
Taywell and Costco are also poised to work in partnership to develop innovative flavours exclusively for sale in Costco's 22 warehouses across Britain.
The new supply contract with Taywell means that Costco will now be able to offer its members an artisan, premium quality ice cream manufactured in the UK. Taywell will support the new listing with regular tastings in all branches of Costco.
Alastair Jessel, Managing Director of Taywell, said: "This deal with Costco is great news for us because it means that, for the first time, Taywell-branded ice cream will be available across the country.
"But it's also fantastic news for Costco's customers, who now have access to premium ice cream made in Britain, rather than imported from overseas. Right now, quality and provenance are two of the major trends in ice cream - and indeed food - and we really do tick both boxes."
The contract with Costco caps a highly successful year for Taywell. Despite the economic downturn, the company increased sales of its premium ice creams and sorbets by 65% in the last financial year, and has doubled employee numbers.
It is forecast to increase its turnover by more than 100% in the current year, and to keep pace with this growth is looking to build another kitchen at its headquarters in Paddock Wood.
Alastair Jessel said: "We're well on the way to achieving our aim, which is to become the UK's favourite artisan ice cream and sorbet brand - one that ice cream and sorbet lovers return to again and again because they know there is no other product out there as good as ours."
The latest grocery share figures from Kantar Worldpanel for the 12 weeks ending 22 January 2012, show Tesco dropping in market share while Iceland puts in its strongest performance in 10 years. 
Morrisons is launching its first M Kitchen frozen convenience range.
Taywell, the luxury ice cream and sorbet maker, has officially gone nationwide for the first time after winning a listing with wholesaler Costco.