<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Alcohol sales have recovered this month after dry January ended.
An increasing number of drinkers are becoming fashionable at the beginning of the year, to the despair of the country’s publicans.
But it seems many are eager to quench their thirst when the month of abstinence finally comes to an end.
Figures from market research group Kantar show supermarket alcohol sales rose 18 per cent in February, with drinkers buying 28 per cent more red wine and 16 per cent more beer than in January.
This meant that 8 million more bottles of red wine were sold this month than the previous month.
Off the wagon: Figures show alcohol sales in supermarkets rose 18% in February, with drinkers buying 28% more red wine and 16% more beer than in January.
In a boost for millions of households, Kantar also said food prices are rising at the slowest pace in two years, although they are still up 5.3 percent from 12 months ago.
Supermarket checkouts also rang before Valentine’s Day.
Shoppers spent £36 million on romantic meal deals costing £10 or more in the week to February 14.
And sales of meat and chocolate boxes increased 12 percent and 16 percent in the same week.
Tom Steel, strategic vision director at Kantar, said: “Things are looking up for shoppers this February.”
Meanwhile, supermarkets have embarked on a price war to attract customers as inflation cools.
Tesco increased its market share to 27.6 per cent in the 12 weeks to February 18 from 27.3 per cent a year earlier, while Sainsbury’s grew to 15.6 per cent from 15.2 per cent.
Lidl has been the fastest growing supermarket for six months running and has 7.5 per cent of the market, up from 7.1 per cent a year ago.