The Scotsman

Aldi extends market share as sales jump 10.6%

● More now shop at discounter than at Morrisons, at 13 million households

- By JOSIE CLARKE

Discounter Aldi has extended its reach in the UK grocery market, and Sainsbury’s has been overtaken by Asda as shoppers held back on spending in the last quarter, figures have suggested.

Year-on-year supermarke­t sales over the 12 weeks to 24 March were just 1.4 per cent – the slowest rate since March last year – in part due to the late Easter and Mother’s Day falling outside the reported period, Kantar said.

But Aldi saw its sales increase by 10.6 per cent, helping it to a new record high market share of 8 per cent, as 13 million households visited at least once over the last quarter – now more than those shopping at Morrisons.

Lidl was the second fastestgro­wing supermarke­t, with sales increasing faster than last month at 5.8 per cent and market share growing by 0.3

0 Aldi saw its share of the UK grocery market hit a record high of 8 per cent in the 12 weeks to 24 March

percentage points to 5.6 per cent.

Sainsbury’s sales fell 1.8 per cent over the quarter, cutting itsmarkets­hareto15.3percent from 15.8 per cent in the same period last year. Asda overtook

it with a market share of 15.4 per cent as its sales climbed 0.1 per cent, fuelled by a greater number of affluent households and shoppers making more regular trips.

However, Sainsbury’s

remained the bigger seller of food and drink as the figures do not include its Argos arm.

Sainsbury’s £7.3 billion agreed takeover of Asda is currently being considered by the Competitio­n and Markets Authority, which gave an initial view last month that the deal should be blocked in the absence of the sale of a large number of stores, or even one of the brands. A final report is due by 30 April.

Meanwhile, British shoppers have already spent £146 million on Easter eggs this year, while 42 per cent of households have bought hot cross buns.

Elsewhere, some 21 per cent of fruit, vegetable and salad items were sold loose over the past 12 weeks, with sales growing twice as quickly as packaged produce, suggesting consumers are continuing their pressure on retailers over single-use plastics.

Analysts Nielsen also reported a slowing in grocery spending, to 1.2 per cent in March from 2.5 per cent the month before.

It attributed the slowdown to several factors, including the increased costs of living and extended uncertaint­y over Brexit negotiatio­ns.

Mike Watkins, Nielsen’s UK head of retailer insight, said: “We can see that the last few weeks have continued to be challengin­g for retailers.

“However, there should be brighter times ahead, with Easter on the horizon bringing attractive seasonal promotions.”

 ?? PICTURE: MICHAEL GILLEN ??
PICTURE: MICHAEL GILLEN

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