Discounters raising share as shoppers spend carefully

Published on Tuesday 26 April 2011 22:55

DISCOUNT supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl have achieved their highest-ever market shares after capturing more of shoppers' weekly spending, according to figures released yesterday.

Data from Kantar Worldpanel showed that Aldi grew its UK sales by 15 per cent year-on-year in the 12 weeks to 17 April, while Lidl posted a 14.7 per cent rise.

Aldi now has a 3.3 per cent share of the market, up 0.3 per cent, with Lidl on 2.6 per cent.

Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel, said: "While the discounters are performing well, this trend is not a re-run of 2008 when new shoppers turned to these outlets in response to 9 per cent food price inflation. Discounter growth is fuelled by existing shoppers sharply increasing spending."

At the other end of the scale, up-market grocery chain Waitrose continued to gain market share, posting 7.7 per cent year-on-year growth in sales to increase its stake in the market from 4.1 per cent to 4.3 per cent.

Among the "big four", Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's all saw their market share dip slightly, while Morrison posted a modest increase.