Food sales prove sector is "recession-resistant"

Food sales grew again in January and provided a boost for the overall retail sector, suggesting the market is "adaptable", a new survey has revealed.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), like-for-like food sales were 5.1% higher than the same month in 2008, while overall retail sales were up 1.1%.

The BRC said the extremely cold weather drove sales of seasonal vegetables, along with casserole meats and roasting joints.

IGD chief executive Joanne Denney-Finch said: "While [consumers] are shopping around for the best value, they are not, in general, letting the recession get in the way of enjoying the high standard of food and drink they consume at home.

"Support for ethical shopping - for example free-range, Fairtrade and local foods - continues to grow."

Head of retail at KPMG Helen Dickinson said the food figures have skewed the overall headline figures and that the economic climate remains challenging.

Verdict Research this month said the grocery sector will remain more resilient to the recession than other industries.

 

This study confirms what Nancy Tucker, Vice President Global Product Development Manager of the American association PMA during last Fruit Logistica:

"the Fruit & Veg industry is not crisis-proof but crisis- resistant ! "