Tesco has seen its share of the UK grocery market dip again, according to the latest figures from retail analysts TNS Worldpanel.
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The UK’s largest retailer accounted for 30.7% of UK grocery sales in the 12 weeks to 28 December, down from 30.9% in the 12 weeks to 2 December – and down from 31.3% a year ago.
Tesco’s sales rose 4% during the period, TNS said, against a UK grocery sector that saw sales rise 6%.
Morrisons and Asda outpaced the growth of the market, seeing sales rise 9.7% and 7.2% respectively. Sainsbury’s sales rose 5.1%.
Over Christmas, TNS said Sainsbury’s and Waitrose had outperformed the market, while “premium” private labels saw sales rise faster than their value-based counterparts.
“In the face of a savage consumer downturn, the Grocery sector at least had reason to celebrate Christmas,” said Ed Garner, director of research at TNS.
The figures for the 12 weeks to 28 December reiterated the “hugely defensive nature” of the grocery sector, Garner added.
“Naturally competition remains fierce but at least the top-line growth of 6% year-on-year shines out against the wreckage of other retail sectors,” he said.
