Sainsbury’s holds on to second place

SAINSBURY’S is still holding on to second place, behind market leader Tesco, in the battle for supermarket supremacy, according to the latest figures.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd Mar 2011, 20:11 BST

The statistics from market research group Nielsen show that for the four weeks to February 19 Sainsbury’s had a 15.7 per cent share of the market, still ahead of Leeds-based Asda. However, analysts expect that situation to reverse when Asda integrates its purchase of Netto UK stores.

The research also showed that Britons are shopping in more supermarkets and cherry-picking the best deals as they battle to cope with rising prices and a squeeze on household budgets.

Sales growth at grocers slowed last month, despite higher prices, according to Kantar Worldpanel. Figures revealed sales rose 3.9 per cent year-on-year in the 12 weeks to February 20, down from 4.2 per cent growth for the 12-week period reported last month.

Discounters Aldi and Lidl both saw sales surge more than 13 per cent as their existing shoppers spent more with them. Kantar added Waitrose achieved its highest ever market share.