Tesco increased its share of the grocery market by 1 per cent in the past three months, while Sainsbury's is on tra...
Tesco increased its share of the grocery market by 1 per cent in the past three months, while Sainsbury's is on track to leapfrog Asda to become the UK's second largest supermarket, according to TNS Worldpanel.

Tesco increased its market share from 30.4 per cent to 31.4 per cent over the 12 weeks to December 31 year on year, based on an 8.4 per cent increase in till roll sales.

Sainsbury's share of the market jumped from 16.2 per cent to 16.4 per cent over the same period, putting it in the rear view mirror of Asda's 16.6 per cent. Asda's market share flatlined over the 12 weeks, although it also increased till roll sales.

However, TNS Worldpanel said Sainsbury's does well at Christmas traditionally.

The last time Sainsbury's had a bigger market share than Asda was in July 2003, when TNS published its figures. At that time, Sainsbury's had a 16.3 per cent share compared with Asda's 16.2 per cent.

TNS Worldpanel director of research Ed Garner said: 'Figures for the 12 weeks ending December 31 show that fears of a poor Christmas were unfounded as grocery retailers increased turnover by 5 per cent over the equivalent period a year ago.'

Waitrose also increased its market share from 3.7 per cent to 3.9 per cent, on sales up an impressive 10.6 per cent.

TNS Worldpanel monitors the grocery retail take home purchasing habits of 25,000 British households.

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