Tesco breathing down SuperValu’s neck in supermarket wars

Tesco continues to breathe down the neck of SuperValu in the battle to be the most popular supermarket in the State, according to the latest figures from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel.

Kantar’s sales data covering the 12 weeks to the middle of August indicates that Tesco’s sales growth of 3.4 per cent was not enough to knock SuperValu off its perch and the latter has retained its position of the Republic’s largest grocery retailer, although its margin is razor thin.

SuperValu has a market share of 22.2 per cent compared with the 22 per cent enjoyed by the British retailing giant. Dunnes Stores is in third place with a market share of 21.1 per cent.

Aldi has tied with Tesco for the title of fastest-growing retailer this period. Its sales growth of 3.4 per cent has improved its market share to 11.5 per cent, matching the record level it first saw in March of this year.

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‘Strong challenge’

"A year-on-year sales growth of 0.4 per cent was enough for SuperValu to hold on to the top spot in the face of a strong challenge from Tesco," said Irish director at Kantar Worldpanel David Berry.

He said that while SuperValu had improved the number of items sold per trip it has done so at a lower price point which has led to its share of the grocery market falling 0.3 per cent compared with last year.

“This is the fourth consecutive period of growth for Tesco, which is a clear indication that it’s achieved a turnaround in performance. This is also only the second time since July 2014 that Tesco has posted a year-on-year increase in market share,” Mr Berry said.

Dunnes Stores has maintained its market share at 21.1 per cent with sales increasing by 2 per cent in comparison with last year.

The overall grocery market has seen growth of 2.2 per cent despite deflation holding steady at 0.5 per cent for the second month in a row.

Lidl also continues to perform ahead of the market, with sales growth of 2.7 per cent ensuring the retailer could achieve a market share ahead of 12 per cent for a second period.