Although the figures showed a general move away from promotional activity across grocery – multi-buys and other promotional mechanics are down to their lowest level since October 2009 to 34.3% in the last 12 weeks, compared to the 2015 peak of 40% – Valentine’s Day provided consumers with the opportunity to buy into growing premium meal deals. Around 2 million consumers took advantage of a premium meal deal around February 14th, to the tune of around £9 million more than last year, with 1.2 million people adding still wine to their meal deal, and 700,000 splashing out with sparkling wine, Kantar said. In the wider grocery market, Kantar Worldpanel reported the fastest growth since June 2014, up 2.3% compared to 2016, but the rises were partly on the back of inflation, with like-for-like inflation doubled since last month to stand at 1.4% over the past 12 months. Kantar first reported the return of inflation in January. However head of retail and consumer insight, Frazer McKevitt, described the price increases as still “fairly minimal” in the broader, long-term context, even though consumers “may be starting to feel a very slight pinch”.

He noted that despite the rise of the discounters, combined sales at the UK’s four largest supermarkets increased by 0.5% year on year.  “This is a timely reminder that despite the huge interest in the discounters during recent years the big four remain a force to be reckoned with: they still hold just over 70% of the market, with almost 99% of the population shopping in a Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda or Morrisons during the latest quarter,” McKevitt said.best brand wine glasses Overall the picture across the big four was positive. best wine for a gift 2013Morrisons saw the fastest growth of the big four boosted by its e-commerce and bricks and mortar sales, up 2.6%, its fastest growth in five years, which helped it retain its 10.6% market share.which is best indian wine

Sainsbury and Tesco also saw growth, the former returning to growth for the first time since last March, while the latter saw its sixth period of growth. But despite their respective 0.3% and 0.6% growth, both mults saw their market share slip. Sainsbury’s fell 0.3 percentage points to take 16.5% of the market, while Tesco’s 0.5% percentage points slip saw its grocery share rest at 27.9%. And although Asda’s sales fell 0.8% over the period, this was still its best performance since November 2014, representing “a significant improvement”, McKevitt noted.high end wine kits Meanwhile the discounters continued their inexorable rise – Lidl became the fastest growing supermarket during the past 12 weeks with sales up by 13.0%, while Aldi was not far behind on sales of 12.9%, giving it a market share of 6.3%.best red wine prices in india

Iceland also continued to grow ahead of the market, with sales up 8.8%, and The Co-op and Waitrose saw sales up 1.7% and 2.9% respectively.WHERE there’s a woo there’s a way – to make this Valentine’s Day extra-special without having to break the bank. Laying on a romantic night out can be pricey, so why not wine and dine your partner at home? The Sun’s AMY JONES and JOELY CHILCOTT have scoured the stores to find the best-value supermarket offerings – from meal deals to bottles of fizz, chocs, flowers and sexy undies.best recipes from food and wine magazine Impress your partner with some new undies or a special treat on Valentines Daybuy usa wine in uk You and your beloved will be smitten with their picks, each with a rating   out   of   five   for quality and value.good tasting wine coolers

Morrisons – Menestrello Prosecco Save a corking £4 when you buy Menestrello Prosecco, now £5. Champagne Veuve Devanlay is half-price at just £10 ASDA – Louvel Fontaine Champagne This has been cut by £1.98 to £10 TESCO – dine in style for just £20 Two mains, sides, desserts, plus a bottle of champagne, prosecco or wine, or a box of chocs. There are plenty of deals at M&S Want the best way to a man’s heart?  50 best red wines for summerThere’s plenty of choice here. Deals includes starter, main, side, pud, wine or prosecco and chocolates – all for £20, and you could save up to £20 overall BEST BUY – ★★★★★ Iceland are offering lobster Lobster’s on the menu as one of the meal deals for just £20 – including a dessert. Get things going with some fizz. Prosecco Frizzante is £6, and Taste The Difference Vintage Cava was £9, now £7.

LIDL – Champagne Comte De Senneval Price of Champagne Comte De Senneval has been slashed from £9.99 to £7.99 – and bottles of Prosecco Spumante are £5.39 Sainsbury’s – good quality and a great price Valentines Luxury Gift Rose in a gift bag, £10. Or 12 Fairtrade red roses, £6.50 Aldi – there’s something for everyone here Single premium red rose in vase, £3. A dozen red roses, £5. Or a dozen luxury roses, £15; a dozen premium Naomi roses for £30. Or, for the best deal, 100 sweetheart roses for £25 BEST BUY – ★★★★★ Tesco Finest’s ‘Forever Mine’ dozen red Naomi roses In a handtied arrangement with a free vase, £50. Or “Always and Forever” double dozen premium red roses, with chocolates, £40 Lidl – not quite as good as their rival Single red rose, £2; a dozen sweetheart roses, £3;  or luxury rose bouquet, £25 Morrisons – decent value but not the most impressive Bouquet of 18 red roses, £10.

Or “Pure Love” roses bouquet, £20 Asda – lacking choice but classy, classic bouquets 24-stem bouquet, £10, or 100 Rose Extravaganza, £25 M and S – they look expensive, and they are Autograph two dozen Freedom roses, £65; and Autograph dozen Freedom roses for £37. Or 12 red roses with Swiss Chocolate Truffles in “Be Mine” gift bag, £25. Large “Be Mine” gift bag, £35 Morrisons – Thorntons Classics box Reduced from £5 to £4, and the Lindt Praline Mini Selection (100g) is £5 Tesco – Green & Black’s Organic Classic Collection 180g) You will be spoilt for choice, with this item reduced from £5.50 to £4. Iceland – Cadbury’s Milk Tray (78g) A bargain at £1, while a Nestle Dairy Box (400g) will only set you back £4.50 Sainsbury’s – Ferrero Rocher Get a tasty 20 per cent saving on Ferrero Collection chocolates, £8 ALDI – Chocolatero Valentines Chocolate Box Chocolatero Valentines Chocolate Box (210g, £5.99)