The UK grocery market has grown again according to the latest industry figures from Kantar Worldpanel. According to the firm in the 12 weeks ending 4 January 2015 the grocery market grow at its fastest rate since August 2014.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, explains: “Shoppers chose to buy a little bit more this Christmas compared with last year, a trend which has pushed sales growth up to 0.6 per cent. This is low in historical terms, but a rally for the supermarkets compared with recent months.
Christmas trading means that Sainsbury’s is now Britain’s second largest grocer for the first time since it lost the position in 2003. “Given the seasonal nature of this share increase there is a high likelihood that Asda will retake the number two spot later in the year,” commented McKevitt.
Tesco’s sales fell 1.2% compared with last year, but while this still represents a notable improvement the retailer is continuing to lose market share. Aldi and Lidl have continue to grow and finished the year with market shares of 4.8 per cent and 3.5 per cent respectively. According to Kantar Worldpanel, half of all British households visited at least one of the two retailers over the past 12 weeks. Waitrose increased its market share to 5.1%.