Lidl lifts UK grocery market share to 8.6%

Lidl’s share of the UK grocery market rose from 8.2% to 8.6% over a year, according to Worldpanel by Numerator figures released on October 13.

The comparison covers the 12 weeks ending October 4. Lidl’s sales increased by 7.1%, with fruit, vegetables and wine among the categories contributing to growth.

During the period, 54% of households shopped at Lidl. Worldpanel retail insight head Fraser McKevitt told City AM that the chain grew faster than the market in 28 of the 38 grocery categories tracked.

Tesco remained the largest grocer with a 27.8% share, followed by Sainsbury’s at 15.2%. Asda held 11.5%, Aldi 10.5% and Morrisons 8.3%. City AM reported that Asda’s share had fallen from 11.8% a year earlier, while Morrisons’ share was unchanged.

Lidl’s gain did not make it the fastest-growing retailer by sales. Worldpanel reported a 12.4% sales increase at online specialist Ocado, whose market share rose from 2.0% to 2.2%. Market share and sales growth measure different aspects of retailers’ performance.