Total supermarket sales were down by 2.9% from the year before
Clothing sales at supermarkets surged in March as shoppers took advantage of the opportunity to buy garments in-person while other non-essential outlets remained closed.
The figures come as a signal of pent up demand as shops get ready to reopen across the UK.
In the four weeks ended 27 March sales at supermarkets doubled to £313m.
Additionally, home and garden sales also boomed to £175m in anticipation of outdoor socialising ahead of spring and into summer.
Total supermarket sales were down by 2.9% from the year before, according to Nielsen research. In March 2020 many people were stockpiling and panic buying, fearing the worst ahead of the oncoming lockdowns.
UK shoppers spent £1bn more on goods compared to the same period in 2019, which was before the coronavirus pandemic.
The fastest grown supermarket over the past three months was Lidl, followed by Iceland and Aldi.
Out of the big four supermarkets, Asda and Morrisons grew the fastest.
Mike Watkins, NielsenIQ’s UK head of retailer and business insight, commented: “It’s clear that as we draw ever closer to the end of lockdown, consumers have been looking ahead to spring and indulging in some retail therapy, ranging from Easter chocolate to some new clothing or accessories for the home and garden.”
