Waitrose wins record share of the grocery market
Latest figures on the grocery market show that Waitrose achieved a record market share in in the 12 weeks to 12 October.
Figures released by Kantar Worldpanel reveal that Waitrose increased its sales by 6.8% in the period to push its market share up to 5.2%.
Meanwhile, the opposite end of the market saw Aldi’s growth slow slightly compared to recent months, but sales were still up 27.3% versus last year resulting in a market share of 4.8%. Lidl’s sales grew by 18.1% with its market share standing at 3.5%.
The only one of the big four supermarkets to record growth was Asda with sales rising by 1% which boosted its market share to 17.3%.
Tesco saw its sales decline by 3.6% to leave its market share at 28.8% while Morrisons’ market share fell to 11% with sales falling by 1.8%.
Sainsbury’s also experienced a drop, with sales declining by 3.1% year-on-year and its market share falling to 16.1%.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said: “While the supermarkets are battling it out on price, the real winners are consumers. Extensive price cutting by some supermarkets in a bid to win the price war means that customers are saving on everyday items such as vegetables and milk.
“While price is a key battle ground among the big four, at the top end of the market Waitrose secured a record grocery market share of 5.2%. Impressively, it has boosted its sales by 6.8% over the past year, continuously growing its sales every month since March 2009.”
