Lidl reached a record-high market share this month as its powering momentum showed no sign of slowing.
It now holds 8.3% of the British grocery market, according to Worldpanel, previously known as Kantar. This is up from 7.8% this time last year.
Lidl won the Grocer of the Year award at The Grocer Golds earlier this month in recognition of its strong sales growth, ongoing store refurbishment programme, and its Lidl Plus loyalty scheme.
Tesco also boosted its share to 28.3% this month as sales grew by 7.1%, the fastest rate since December 2023. Sainsbury’s sales grew 5.3%, putting its market share at 15.1%.
Overall supermarket sales were up 5.4% in the four weeks to 13 July, Worldpanel said, although rising inflation continued to raise concerns.
Grocery price inflation accelerated again to 5.2% over the four-week period, its highest level in 18 months. Worldpanel warned annual grocery bills could jump by £275 if people’s shopping habits stayed the same.
Own-label products continue to be some of the big winners, with sales of these ranges again outpacing brands, growing by 5.6% versus 4.9%.
“These inflationary worries aren’t just changing what we buy, but how we prepare it too,” said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel. “We often see people choosing to make simpler meals when they are trying to save money, and today, almost seven in 10 dinner plates include fewer than six components.”
Supermarkets were therefore having to find new ways to pique the interest of consumers, McKevitt added.
“The drinks aisle in particular seems to be offering up plenty of inspiration. Iced coffee has soared in popularity in recent years and with summer temperatures rising, sales were up this month by 81%.”
Kombucha drinks have also burst on to the scene, with sales more than doubling over the latest four weeks compared with 2024, he said. Low & no alcohol drinks also continue their gradual march into the mainstream, with nearly seven in every 100 households buying a product this month.
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