Tesco Market Share, Sales Rise Again

By Ian Walker

LONDON--Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN)'s market share and sales have risen for the second consecutive 12-week period, with sales again boosted by 'Farm Brands' and its standard own-label lines, according to a market survey Tuesday.

For the 12 weeks ended Nov. 6 Tesco's market share rose to 28.2%, from 27.9% for the comparable 12 weeks in 2015, while sales rose 2.2% to 7.13 billion pounds ($8.9 billion).

German discount grocers Aldi and Lidl, together with up-market grocer Waitrose also increased market share and sales in the latest 12 months, Kantar Worldpanel said. Kantar monitors the household grocery purchasing habits of 25,000 demographically representative households in the U.K.

Aldi and Lidl's joint market share rose to 10.7% in the 12 weeks ended Nov. 6, up from 10% in the comparable 12 weeks ended Nov. 8, 2015. Separately Aldi's market share has risen to 6.1% in the 12 weeks, from 5.6% for the comparable period in 2015. Lidl's market share has risen to 4.6%, from 4.4% in the 12 weeks ended Nov. 8, 2015.

Aldi's sales in the 12 weeks have grown 10% to GBP1.55 billion, while Lidl's sales have risen 6.1% to GBP1.16 billion.

Sainsbury PLC's (SBRY.LN) market share in the 12 weeks ended Nov. 6 has fallen to 16.3%, from 16.6%, while sales fell 0.7% to GBP4.12 billion.

Asda, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) also saw its market share fall to 15.5%, from 16.4% for the comparable 12 weeks, with sales 5% lower at GBP3.91 billion.

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC's (MRW.LN) market share fell to 10.5%, from 10.8%, while sales are 2.4% lower at GBP2.65 billion

Up-market retailer Waitrose' market share rose to 5.3% in the 12 weeks ended Nov. 6, from 5.2% in the comparable period, and sales climbed 3% to GBP1.34 billion.

Separately Neilsen confirmed that while Aldi and Lidl's market shares continue to rise, growth is the lowest since the end of 2011. During the 12 weeks ended Nov. 5, Aldi's year-over-year sales revenue increased 11.3%, while Lidl's increased 5.2%.

Between them, Aldi and Lidl account for 11.8% of U.K. grocery sales, up from 11.1% a year ago, according to Neilsen Homescan data. Nielsen Homescan measures buying habits through its 15,000 geo-demographically balanced panel.

Of the big four, Tesco's market share rose to 27.7% in the 12 weeks ended Nov. 5, from 27.5% in the comparable 12 weeks ended Nov. 7, 2015; Sainsbury's fell to 15.4% from 15.8%; Asda's fell to 14.2% from 15.2% and Morrison's share fell to 10% from 10.4%.

Write to Ian Walker at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 15, 2016 03:46 ET (08:46 GMT)

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