Aldi and Lidl attracting attention from middle-class shoppers
While there is no doubt that the cheaper end of the food retail market has enjoyed something of an Indian summer throughout 2008 who would have thought that so-called middle-class shoppers would be attracted to the likes of Aldi and Lidl?
However, this appears to be the case with the likes of Waitrose apparently missing out on increased business because of the UK consumer's decision to downsize their spending budget. The lower end of the market has been particularly active over the last few months as the economic recession continues to bite and more and more consumers feel the pain. Even though Tesco announced an increase in sales of 2.5% over the Christmas period they are losing custom in some areas and this rate of increase is the lowest for nearly 20 years.
The stigma of shopping at some of the low-budget food retailers has been too much for many in the past but now that money is tight, and needs must, more consumers seem to be looking elsewhere. Whether this will continue as and when the UK economy picks up remains to be seen but the low-budget end of the market would appear in line for yet more sales volume increases in the months ahead.
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