U.K. Grocers' Sales Boosted by Weather, Royal Wedding and Football

By Ian Walker

All U.K. grocers increased sales in the 12 weeks ended May 20 as they benefited from good May Day Bank Holiday weather, the Royal Wedding and the FA Cup Final, but experienced mixed results in their market shares.

Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN), the U.K.'s number one grocer by market share grew sales 2.2% in the 12 weeks ended May 20 to 7.5 billion pounds ($9.95 million). However, its market share fell to 27.7% in the period, from 27.8%.

At the other end of the scale, German retailers Aldi and Lidl grew both market share and sales. For the 12 weeks ended May 20, Aldi's market share rose to 7.3%, from 7.0%, while sales rose 6.7% to GBP1.97 billion. Lidl's market share rose to 5.4%, from 5.0% and sales grew 10% to GBP1.47 billion, Kantar said. Kantar monitors the household grocery purchasing habits of 30,000 demographically representative households in the U.K.

J Sainsbury PLC's (SBRY.LN) market share fell to 15.7% in the latest survey from 15.9%, with sales increasing 1% to GBP4.25 billion, Kantar reported.

Market share at Asda, a subsidiary of Walmart Inc. (WMT), was unchanged at 15.4%, while sales rose 2.8% to GBP4.17 billion. Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC's (MRW.LN) market share was unchanged at 10.5%, although sales rose 2.9% to GBP2.86 billion.

The market share of upmarket retailer Waitrose, a division of John Lewis Partnership PLC, fell to 5.1% in the 12 weeks ended May 20, from 5.2%. Sales climbed 0.3% to GBP1.39 billion, Kantar said.

Write to Ian Walker at [e-mail]; @IanWalk40289749

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 30, 2018 03:42 ET (07:42 GMT)

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