Latest grocery share figures published by retail analyst Kantar Worldpanel show that growth in the UK market for food has slowed over the past three months as shoppers exercise caution in terms of their spending.
According to the report, which covers the 12 weeks ending 20 February 2011, overall market growth in the country slowed slightly to 3.9 per cent compared with 4.2 per cent during the year-earlier period.
However, both Sainsbury’s at 5.2 per cent and Morrisons at 4.5 per cent outperformed that figure, growing ahead of the market average.
Sainsbury’s managed to expand its market share to 16.5 per cent, compared with 16.3 per cent a year ago, continuing a strong run which has seen the company gain share every month since March 2009.
Morrisons, meanwhile, maintained the 12.3 per cent market share it held at the same point in 2010.
The other two members of the big four, Tesco and Asda, performed slightly behind the market, the analyst revealed, with their shares standing at 30.3 per cent and 16.9 per cent respectively at the end of February.
Fraser McKevitt, retail analyst at Kantar Worldpanel rounded up the performances of some other notable players: 'Waitrose followed the market trend of slightly slower growth this period, but still posted increased sales of 6.6 per cent compared to a year ago, taking its market share to 4.4 per cent, the highest ever recorded by the retailer.'
He added: '2011 has seen a return to strong growth from the discounters, both Aldi and Lidl delivering double digit growth, well-ahead of their performances in 2010. Aldi now holds 3.1 per cent of the market, up from 2.8 per cent last year and Lidl holds 2.4 per cent, up from 2.2 per cent.'
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