Lidl has overtaken Morrisons to become the fifth largest supermarket in the UK, following an 8.8 per cent increase in sales compared to last year. The German-owned discounter now holds an 8.6 per cent share of the grocery market, according to data from Worldpanel by Numerator.
Lidl has been the fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar grocer in the UK for 35 consecutive months. Its Lidl Plus loyalty app has been a key driver, accounting for half of its growth over the past year.
Ocado recorded faster growth at 10.2 per cent year on year, but its market share remains small at 2.1 per cent. Marks & Spencer also saw grocery sales rise by 9.3 per cent, but Worldpanel does not classify it as a grocer due to its clothing and homeware sales.
Tesco remains the market leader with a 28.2 per cent share, followed by Sainsbury's at 15.2 per cent. Asda, in third place, was the only one among the top eight to see a decline, with takings down 3 per cent year on year and its market share falling from 12.1 per cent to 11.5 per cent.
Aldi sits between Asda and Lidl, while Co-op (5.1 per cent), Waitrose (4.5 per cent), Iceland (2.2 per cent) and Ocado (2.1 per cent) round out the major grocers.
Grocery price inflation for the four weeks to May 2026 stood at 3.1 per cent, the lowest since December 2024. However, the Food and Drink Federation has warned of significantly higher costs later this year. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, said the easing inflation was welcome news for shoppers who had been bracing for price hikes due to the Middle East conflict.
