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DATA POINTS

Prices Boost Holiday Sales Supermarket price increases of about 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2010 helped drive sales gains of 2.3% for the holiday period, according to data from Kantar Retail and the U.S. Department of Commerce. That compared with sales increases of 0.6% in the year-ago fourth quarter, but still trailed the gains posted by drug stores (3.5%) and foodservice and drinking places (5.1%).

Prices Boost Holiday Sales

Supermarket price increases of about 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2010 helped drive sales gains of 2.3% for the holiday period, according to data from Kantar Retail and the U.S. Department of Commerce. That compared with sales increases of 0.6% in the year-ago fourth quarter, but still trailed the gains posted by drug stores (3.5%) and foodservice and drinking places (5.1%). The restaurant sales gains, in contrast to those of supermarkets, was demand-driven, as opposed to being propelled by price increases. Shoppers were choosing supermarkets less often for gifts, however, according to Kantar's Retail ShopperScape December survey of 3,571 holiday shoppers.
SOURCE: Kantar Retail and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

15.3%
Online and catalog retailing was up year over year in Q4 of 2010.

58%
of holiday shoppers looked for gifts at Wal-Mart in Q4 of 2010.

Supermarkets grew on a bigger-than-expected price pickup — despite competition, especially with Wal-Mart.
Frank Badillo, senior economist, Kantar Retail

Biggest Declines in Gift-Shopping
CHANNEL 2010 2009 CHANGE
Book and media stores 21.1% 31.0% -9.9%
Grocery stores/Supermarkets 18.1% 27.5% -9.3%
Small-format value retailers 14.1% 22.9% -8.8%
Apparel specialty retailers 15.3% 22.4% -7.1%
Warehouse clubs 15.9% 22.8% -6.9%
Drug store retailers 14.4% 21.3% -6.9%
Shoe retailers 7.7% 14.4% -6.7%
Personal care and beauty retailers 18.4% 24.4% -6.0%

SOURCE: Kantar Retail ShopperScape survey December 2010 vs. December 2009 asking where consumers shopped for holiday gifts

TAGS: Walmart