The latest TNS Worldpanel grocery market share figures, for the 12 weeks ending October 5, reconfirm the continuing rise of value-based grocery retailers in the UK.
The total grocery market grew by 6.7 per cent year on year, which reflects food price inflation rather than any real growth, according to Ed Garner, director of research at TNS Worldpanel. “This figure is effectively the base line - retailers failing to match this growth will see their share erode,” he said.
Aldi continued its strong run with growth of 22.1 per cent in the latest 12 week period, and has reached another record market share of three per cent. Its current on-air TV campaign features celebrity Phil Vickery in an attempt to add food quality to the established low-price reputation. Lidl’s growth also continues ahead of the market, as does the performance of the freezer centres Iceland and Farm Foods.
As for the top-four, Tesco has seen its share drop by 0.4 points compared with the same period last year as its growth of 5.5 per cent lags the market. Garner said: “They will be hoping that their recent introduction of a range of “Discounter Brands” will give them a boost,” adding: “Sainsbury’s has also seen a small share drop of 0.1 per cent, but this is better performance than expected given the market shift.
“Morrisons and Asda show no sign of suffering at the hands of the hard discounters and post growth of 9.6 per cent and nine per cent respectively. It is now apparent that Waitrose is under pressure as growth all but evaporates leaving the share down at 3.8 per cent.”
Overall top-four market share figures, according to TNS, now stand at Tesco (31.4 per cent), Asda (17.1 per cent, (Sainsbury’s (15.7 per cent), and Morrisons (11.2 per cent).
