The latest TNS Worldpanel grocery market share figures show improved growth and a return to historical trends.
The statistics, published for the 12 weeks ending October 7, show sales through grocers growing at an annual rate of five per cent. This is a sharp increase on the three per cent growth seen two periods ago and shows that the grocery sector is putting the financial gloom of recent weeks behind it and returning to growth trends.
Tesco has outperformed the market with six per cent growth and has lifted its share from 31.4 per cent a year ago to 31.8 per cent this period equalling its all-time record seen two periods ago.
However, the intense competition in this market continues as both Asda and Sainsbury have also lifted their shares over the last year by five per cent each.
“Morrisons again sees positive growth of three per cent but, as has been the pattern for some time, this is behind the market hence the small share loss,” said Edward Garner, director of research at TNS Worldpanel. “The retailer’s new Fresh Choice for You positioning is now firmly underway with a focus on driving new shoppers to the store.”
Co-ops and independents both show positive sales growth, which is encouraging, he added but this needs to increase to total market levels if share is not to be eroded. The figure for all the co-ops was growth of one per cent with 4.4 per cent of the market and for all the independents two per cent with 2.7 per cent of the market. However, it is largely the symbol groups that are experiencing the growth with 14 per cent compared to a four per cent decline among other independents as a whole.
Aldi, Lidl and Netto have performed strongly although the total discounter share including Kwik Save has hardly changed over the last year and a half.
