Aldi grabs record share of market

DISCOUNT retailer Aldi has seen its share of the grocery sector grow to a record 4.3 per cent after piling more pressure on the “big four” supermarket chains.

Aldi: Winning over more customers. Picture: Greg Macvean

Market researcher Kantar Worldpanel said Morrisons, the UK’s fourth-largest grocer, suffered a continued slide in sales as Aldi – along with fellow German discounter Lidl and upmarket rival Waitrose – won a larger slice of the market.

Sales at Morrisons fell 3.2 per cent in the 12 weeks to 2 March, pushing its market share down to 11.1 per cent, from 11.8 per cent a year ago.

Kantar director Chris Longbottom said: “Aldi’s year-on-year growth rate accelerated to a record 33.5 per cent meaning the retailer now accounts for 4.3 per cent of the market, while Lidl held on to the record 3.2 per cent it reached last period. “Despite this, Waitrose shrugged off the pressure from the discounters with its highest ever market share of 5 per cent.”

Sainsbury’s was the only major retailer to hold its market share, while Asda and Tesco also recorded declines.