Booming discounter claims another record share and may have overtaken Waitrose
Supermarket growth rates fall for the sixth time in seven months
DEEP discounter Aldi could soon overtake Waitrose as the UK’s sixth-biggest supermarket – and may already have done so, according to reports.
The latest grocery share figures from Kantar Worldpanel show Aldi achieving 32% year-on-year growth in the 12 weeks ending 20 July, to bring its share almost level with Waitrose.
Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel, said: “Aldi’s 32% growth rate has lifted its market share to 4.8%.
“This is a new record for the retailer and means it has nearly caught up with Waitrose on 4.9%.”
Meanwhile, figures from Nielsen over the same period suggest Aldi has already pushed past Waitrose, with 25.3% growth leading to a 5.2% market share.
According to its research, discounters Aldi and Lidl now account for £1 out of every £11 spent in UK supermarkets and are visited by 14% more people than a year ago.
Their rapid success continues to influence overall supermarket value sales, which have fallen for the sixth time in seven months.
“The grocery sector has been hit by a triple whammy,” said Nielsen’s UK head of retailer and business insight, Mike Watkins. “Food inflation has hit a record low while more of people’s shopping is being done at the discounters, which means less money going through the tills.
“The next major battle ground is fresh food. The discounters have been very effective at stealing share for packaged goods – such as cans, packets and bottles.
“If they can also eat into fresh foods, which account for almost half of food and drink sales, we could see a seismic shift in the sector over the next six months.”
