Morrisons and Tesco fastest growing, Co-op returns to growth

The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel, published today for the 12 weeks to 25 February 2018, show that grocery sales have increased in value by 3.2% compared to the same time last year.

This marks the 12th consecutive 12-week period in a row that total market sales have exceeded 3%, and that each of the big four retailers has seen positive growth.

Tesco and Morrisons were the fastest growing of the big four – both clocking in sales growth of 2.7%. Sainsbury’s saw a sales growth of 1.1% while Asda’s sales increased by 2.3%.

Aldi and Lidl once again battled to be crowned the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket. Aldi overtook Lidl slightly as sales grew by 13.9% and 13.3% respectively. With both discounters working hard to expand their store portfolio, Aldi and Lidl also benefited from increased shopper numbers as well as growth in basket size.

Co-op returned to growth for the first time since July 2017 with sales up 0.4%, after a period of decline following the retailer’s sale of nearly 300 stores to McColl’s. Iceland held share steady at 2.2% compared to this time last year, increasing sales by 1.3%.

Waitrose saw sales growth of 2.3%, continuing on its trend of uninterrupted sales growth since March 2009. Meanwhile, internet-only grocer Ocado increased market share by 0.1 percentage points to 1.2%.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight, said: “Tesco continues to perform well – more positive news following approval of its Booker acquisition last week. Despite a slight fall in market share of 0.1 percentage points, Tesco experienced particularly strong growth from its Extra superstores.

“Holding market share steady year on year at 10.6%, Morrisons has continued its run of form, entering its 16th consecutive period of growth. Its premium own-label line The Best proved particularly successful, with sales rising by 20% year on year as cooked meats, vegetables and cakes and pastries tickled shoppers’ fancy.”