Food sales increased by 5.4% in 2020 despite a more downbeat picture for the wider economy, the British Retail Consortium has reported.

This growth compares favourably to a 5% decline in non-food retail sales and was driven by transactions in bricks and mortar and online supermarkets.

A huge trend for the year was the growth in demand for wellness supporting food and drink products as health became a key reason for purchase amongst consumers.

These good results for the industry provide a strong platform for further growth in 2021 as the vaccine programme enables the winding down of lockdown restrictions.