Discount grocers are continuing their march on the competition, with Lidl owner Schwarz Group being the fastest riser in Planet Retail’s Top 20 Grocery Retailers 2008.

Schwarz jumped from ninth to fifth place last year as the global downturn continues to accelerate growth for discount chains.

The research also revealed that the top 20 grocers in the world generated $1.95 trillion (£1.19 trillion) of sales, up 10.5 per cent year on year in 2008 and representing 25 per cent of the global retail market.