Sainsbury’s has edged out Asda as the second-biggest UK grocer this month after being usurped for the first time since 2015 in March, according to the latest data.

The Kantar grocery market share figures show that Sainsbury’s secured a 15.4% share of the grocery market in the 12 weeks to April 21 despite the supermarket chain’s sales falling 1.2%.

Sainsbury’s share was marginally ahead of Asda’s 15.2% , after it recorded a 0.3% sales uplift during the period.

Across the sector overall sales rose 2%, driven by a record £2.5bn spent during the Easter week, marking the fastest rate of grocery sales growth so far in 2019.

Kantar’s head of retail and consumer insight Fraser McKevitt said: “Shoppers indulged in £335m worth of Easter eggs and seasonal chocolate during the 12 weeks and the average household took home 10 such treats during the longer build-up from February to the holiday weekend.

“The warm weather over the Easter break helped boost sales of ice cream by 8% and hayfever remedies by 27% during the past four weeks as families made the most of the sunshine.”

Tesco came top in the ranking with 27.3% market share as sales increased 1%, although market share was down 0.3% year on year.

Aldi was the fastest-growing grocer during the period as sales surged 11.6%, driven by 823,000 additional customers, taking the discounter’s overall market share to 7.9%.

Fellow discounter Lidl recorded sales growth of 8.6%, increasing its market share 0.3% year on year to 5.7%.

Alongside the discounters, Co-op and Ocado were the only grocers to record increased market share year on year, up 6.1% and 1.3% respectively.

“Co-op has been able to capitalise on periods of warmer weather as people shop closer to home and, with a 4.5% increase during the past 12 weeks, it has now grown sales continuously for a full year. Its ‘Irresistible’ range, especially crisps, snacks, biscuits and pizzas, proved particularly popular and sales were up 11% on last year.

“The convenience retailer continues to perform well when it comes to small shopping baskets, accounting for 17% of all trips where people spend less than £20,” McKevitt said.

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