Over the last 12 months, Sainsbury’s has lost its pole position in three areas in the South East, according to new research from a location planning company.
The evidence from CACI, reported in the Financial Times, means Sainsbury’s is the dominant retailer in just eight areas around the country.
Tesco now dominates in 87 areas, compared with 81 last year. It stole the top spot from Sainsbury’s in Guildford, Brighton and north-west London.
Paul Langston, associate director for location strategy at CACI, said the findings reflect an aggressive store opening policy from Tesco. He also warned that Sainsbury’s could begin to feel the pinch of the credit crunch due to the rise of the discounters.
“Sainsbury’s has traditionally been weighted to the London area. But Lidl and Aldi are becoming wider in their appeal and are seeking sites. This is the Sainsbury heartland but as people trade down, Aldi and Lidl are pushing their store openings,” he said.
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