Asda, the UK’s second-largest grocer, has posted the slowest sales growth of the country’s Big Four in the last 12 weeks, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel.
The analysts at Kantar – formerly known as TNS – said there has been “an intensified battle” between the UK’s largest grocers.
Go deeper with GlobalData
In the 12 weeks to 24 January, Morrisons enjoyed the strongest growth of the Big Four, seeing sales climb 10.6%. Sainsbury’s sales rose 6.8%, while Tesco “reaped the rewards” of giving shoppers double Clubcard points, Kantar said.
Asda, however, saw sales rise 4.3%. “The battle for consumers’ share of wallet is hotting up and Asda has already responded to these results by rolling out a new coupon scheme across the UK national press,” Kantar communications director Ed Garner said.
The fierce competition between the UK’s largest grocers has put further pressure on discounters Aldi and Lidl. Kantar said the battle between the Big Four had “left discounters out in the cold”.
Aldi sales grew 3.1%, while Lidi sales inched up 1.4%. “The results indicate that some shoppers are turning their backs on the discounters as consumer confidence improves,” Kantar said.
Meanwhile, increases in fresh produce and dairy prices has increased food inflation to 2.8%.
