Tesco still leads the retail pack in the strongest period of grocery market growth for two years, the latest TNS figures have shown.
According to TNS Worldpanel, market buoyancy and the collapse of Kwik Save has boosted market growth, which saw an overall increase of six per cent for the 12 weeks ending August 13 - a level not seen since August 2004.
A clear frontrunner, Tesco’s share gain has been greatest at up to 31.6 per cent from 30.3 last year. But the battle for second place is still a close-run race. Asda posted year-on-year growth of six per cent - in line with the market - which saw its share unchanged at 16.6 per cent. But establishing a healthy recovery, Sainsbury’s recorded an eight per cent increase and lifted its share from 15.7 to 16 per cent in the last year - its strongest growth for several years
However, in terms of growth, the winners are Waitrose and Aldi, which topped the table with year-on-year growth at 12 and 16 per cent respectively, a result helped by their recent store acquisitions.
Kwik Save share has fallen from 1.7 per cent last year to 0.2 per cent in the period, enabling the positive trend enjoyed by most of the retailers. Its demise benefited Somerfield with further fascia changes, lifting their share to 4.4 per cent - a level not seen since March 2000.
