The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel, reflecting the 12-week period ending January 29, 2017, show Aldi is now Britain’s fifth largest supermarket. With year-on-year sales up 12.4%, the discount retail chain increased its market share by 0.6 percentage points to clinch fifth place for the first time.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, commented: “Just a decade ago, Aldi was the UK’s tenth largest food retailer, accounting for less than 2% of the grocery market. Since then the grocer has grown rapidly, climbing the rankings by an impressive five places to hold a 6.2% market share. Underpinned by an extensive program of store openings, the past quarter has seen Aldi attract 826,000 more shoppers than during the same period last year.”
He continued: “Despite being overtaken by Aldi, Co-op’s 2% sales increase was well ahead of the market, continuing a run of growth stretching back to July 2015. A significant own label sales increase of 7% was behind the strong performance, with healthier ranges successfully catering to consumers’ good intentions for the new year.”
The market continues to grow faster than it did in 2016, with supermarket sales up 1.7% over last year and eight of the nine major retailers logging positive sales growth during the past 12 weeks. Although not significant enough to dampen the market, well-publicized supply issues in recent weeks have affected sales in fresh produce.
McKevitt commented: “Eleven million households buy courgettes annually, but supply issues contributed to 759,000 fewer shoppers buying them this January – that’s a 31% drop in spending compared with the same month last year. Sales of spinach also fell by 12%, in a clear sign that the poor weather in southern Europe has had a tangible impact on British shopping baskets.”
Meanwhile rising prices – which were seen during the Christmas holiday period for the first time since 2014 – have continued into the new year, with like-for-like inflation on a basket of everyday groceries climbing to 0.7%. If prices continue to rise at the same rate for the rest of 2017, shoppers will find themselves around £27 worse off, according to McKevitt.
Morrisons was the fastest-growing retailer within the big four, increasing its market share for the first time since June 2015 with a year-on-year sales uplift of 1.9%. Although growth came from across the store, premium own label was a real bright spot – sales advanced 35%, while its revamped The Best range made its way into 14% of Morrisons baskets.
Growing for the fifth period in a row – albeit at a slower rate than previously – Tesco’s sales were up 0.3% year-on-year as its market share fell to 28.1%. Sainsbury’s sales remained flat, while its share fell by 0.3 percentage points to stand at 16.5%.
Meanwhile Asda’s 1.9% fall in sales signaled a decline that continues to slow. Although its share dropped by 0.6 percentage points over the quarter, the retailer saw an increase the number of shoppers visiting its stores compared to the same period last year.
Elsewhere, Waitrose, Lidl and Iceland all continued to grow. Boosting sales by 3.4%, Waitrose increased its share of the grocery market to 5.3%, while Iceland – up 8.6% year-on-year – saw sales growth for the tenth consecutive period. A 9.4% year on year sales increase for Lidl buoyed the retailer’s market share by 0.3 percentage points, leaving the discounter holding 4.5% of the UK grocery market.