Tesco increased its market share for the first time since May over the past three months on the back of higher-than-expected sales, according to new figures.
Data from market researchers Kantar Worldpanel shows that the supermarket giant grew its share of the UK grocery sector by 0.1 per cent to 30.7 per cent in the twelve weeks to November 28, compared to the same period last year.
Tesco said like-for-like sales in the UK, including VAT but excluding fuel, rose by 1.5 per cent during the three months, higher than analysts’ forecasts of around 1 per cent. Total global sales increased by 8.8 per cent.
While Tesco has added market share, Morrisons has seen its slice of the market fall for the first time in three years. According to the Kantar Worldpanel figures, the retailer’s share dipped by 0.1 per cent to 12 per cent over the 12-week period.
Sainsburys was the fastest-growing of Britain’s top four supermarket groups, increasing its hare by 0.3 per cent to 16.4 per cent, while Asda held its market share (17 per cent) for the first time this year following a series of small losses.
The Kantar figures also reveal that upmarket retailer Waitrose continued to outpace its larger rivals, growing its share from 3.9 per cent to 4.1 per cent.