Offers wipe out most gains from rise in supermarket sales

The supermarket sector is showing signs of stagnation, as the avalanche of offers in the battle for market share eats into the small benefits from the relative increase in sales volume.

Researchers Nielsen expect the year to end in the black, but only just, as in the first 10 months of 2017 the sector saw sales grow by just 0.4 percent on the previous year.

Many retailers expect 2018 to be a more difficult year for supermarkets as well as suppliers, which will likely lead to a further restructuring of the sector.