Sainsbury’s has gained ground on its UK grocery rivals, according to the latest data from industry analysts Kantar Worldpanel, which also showed Tesco and Asda lost market share.
During the 12 weeks to 31 October, Sainsbury’s sales rose 6.1% in a market that Kantar said grew by 4%. The increase in sales took Sainsbury’s share of the UK food retail sector from 15.9% to 16.2%.
Sainsbury’s has been busy expanding its store estate, which is likely to have boosted the numbers but Kantar communications director Ed Garner said the retailer had benefited from a balance between price and quality.
“The large customer base of the top four retailers means that they must strike a balance between price and quality – low prices alone will not be enough to lure shoppers this Christmas. Sainsbury’s has hit a sweet spot with this balance and this is reflected in its continued growth,” Garner said.
Tesco’s sales rose 3.7%, slower than the overall market, which led its share to dip from 30.7% to 30.6%. Asda’s sales were up by 3.4%, pushing its share of the market from 17.3% to 17.2%.
Morrisons, meanwhile, saw its sales climb 3.8%, leaving its market share static at 11.7%.
Kantar also reported that food inflation stood at 3% during the 12 weeks to the end of October.
