Sainsbury Sales Grow for Sixth Consecutive Period

By Ian Walker

LONDON--J. Sainsbury PLC (SBRY.LN) sales grew for the sixth consecutive period, and was again the only one of the top four grocers to gain market share, according to the latest survey compiled by Kantar Worldpanel.

Outside the top four, German discount retailers Aldi and Lidl also boosted both market share and sales, and are expected to take further market share this year as they fulfill their plans for more outlets, Kantar said. Kantar monitors the household grocery purchasing habits of 25,000 demographically representative households in the U.K.

Sainsbury market share in the 12 weeks ended Jan. 31 rose to 16.8%, from 16.7% a year earlier, while sales grew 0.6% to 4.59 billion pounds ($6.59 billion).

Aldi and Lidl's joint market share rose to 9.8%, up from 8.4% in the comparable 12 weeks ended Feb. 1, 2015.

Separately Aldi's market share has risen to 5.6% in the 12 weeks ended Jan. 31, from 4.9% for the comparable period in 2015. Lidl's market share has risen to 4.2%, from 3.5% in the 12 weeks ended Feb. 1, 2015.

Aldi's sales in the 12 weeks have grown 14% to GBP1.53 billion, while Lidl's shares have risen 19% to GBP1.13 billion.

Number one retailer Tesco PLC's (TSCO.LN) market share fell to 28.5% in the 12 weeks, compared with 29% in the comparable period. Tesco sales are down 1.6% over the period to GBP7.77 billion.

Asda, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), saw its market share fall to 16.2%, from 16.9% for the comparable 12 weeks, with sales 3.8% lower at GBP4.42 billion.

Up-market retailer Waitrose's market share was unchanged at 5.2%, while sales climbed 0.1% at GBP1.42 billion.

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC's (MRW.LN) market share fell to 10.8%, from 11.1%, while sales were 2.2% lower at GBP2.96 billion.

Write to Ian Walker at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 09, 2016 03:47 ET (08:47 GMT)

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