Morrisons and Aldi both earned record shares of the UK grocery market according to TNS figures for the 12 weeks to December 28, 2008.
The latest data from the market analyst shows that grocers are avoiding the spectre sweeping the rest of the retail market, managing to postpone the recession for Christmas. Ed Garner, director of research, TNS Worldpanel, said: “Naturally competition remains fierce but at least the top-line growth of six per cent year-on-year shines out against the wreckage of other retail sectors.”
Tesco continues to see its share come under pressure with a drop to 30.7 per cent from 31.3per cent a year ago. Both Asda and Morrisons continue their strong runs with growths of 7.2 per cent and 9.7 per cent respectively - outperforming the market and therefore lifting their shares to 16.9 per cent for Asda and a record 11.9 per cent for Morrisons.
Sainsbury’s share is holding firm in the face of the pressure on premium retailers at 16.3 per cent compared to 16.2 per cent a year ago. While Waitrose’s share dipped from 3.9 per cent to 3.7 per cent. According to Garner, the JS Basics range is helping to maintain the balance between the premium and value sectors.
Strong performance for the discounters and freezer centres has become a feature of the prevailing trading climate and this period is no exception with a record share of 3.2 per cent for Aldi standing out.
Comparing the four weeks ending December 28, 2008 with the previous four weeks ending November 30, both Sainsbury’s and Waitrose outperformed the market as they traditionally do and premium private labels outperformed their value-based counterparts.
Meanwhile, grocery price inflation has continued to fall back and the figure for the final 12-week period of 2008 dropped to 8.3 per cent, the third successive drop from the peak of 9.3 per cent seen for 12 weeks ending October 5, 2008.
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