Lidl crowned the fastest growing UK supermarket

LIDL is now the fastest-growing supermarket in Britain, according to the latest market data.

Sales at the German discounter rose by 11.4pc in the 12 weeks to February 23, taking the top spot for the first time since 2017, data provider Kantar said. Ocado, whose home delivery business is expected to receive a boost from the coronavirus outbreaks, saw growth slow slightly to 10.8pc.

Aldi’s total sales rose 5.7pc, which handed it a 7.9pc share of the market.

But in a sign its growth is running out of steam, analysts at Shore Capital said sales may be falling once new store openings are stripped out.

Sainsbury’s was the only supermarket among the Big Four to grow, increasing sales by 0.3pc. Tesco and Asda dipped by 0.8pc and 1.2pc respectively while Morrisons’ sales were 2pc lower than the same period last year, and as a result its market share fell to 10.2pc.

Fraser McKevitt, head of consumer insight at Kantar, said: ‘Sainsbury’s has performed well this period despite a challenging market. Lidl has been benefiting from its store expansion programme for a number of years. The new locations have helped to bring in nearly 900,000 additional shoppers.’

The Sainsbury’s boost comes months before chief executive Mike Coupe bows out after his failed merger with Asda.

Overall grocery spend in the last three months was up by 0.7pc year- on-year, the fastest rate since November.

Waitrose, owned by struggling John Lewis Partnership, which releases its results tomorrow, saw its sales fall 1.3pc year-on-year.

All supermarkets are braced for the impact of coronavirus and are expecting an impact. However firms with a large delivery network are expected to benefit, and on Monday Ocado shares jumped.

Last month, sales of hand sanitiser increased by 255pc, while liquid soaps were up by 7pc, Kantar reported.