Aldi gains at expense of Woolies

GERMAN discount supermarket chain Aldi’s rapid expansion in Australia is hurting rival Woolworths, according to the latest consumer research data from Roy Morgan.

Aldi’s share of the Australian supermarket sector increased to 13.2 per cent for the year to March 31, compared with 12.5 per cent in the year ended September 2016.

Roy Morgan’s research found that Aldi’s growth has largely come at the expense of Woolworths, whose share over the same period dropped from 36.3 per cent to 35.7 per cent.

Fellow retailer IGA also lost market share over the same period, falling from 9.8 per cent to 9.3 per cent.

Coles maintained a stable grip on the market at 33.2 per cent over the same period. Just 2.5 per cent in market share now separate Coles and Woolworths, down from 6.7 per cent in March 2015.