Lidl gains ground as Aldi’s UK sales growth slows
Fresh Worldpanel figures show Lidl taking share while grocery inflation edges higher.
Lidl increased its share of Britain’s grocery market as Aldi’s sales growth slowed to 0.4 per cent, according to figures published on Tuesday. The data also showed grocery price inflation rising to 2.5 per cent in the four weeks to 4 October.
Worldpanel by Numerator said take-home grocery sales increased by 1 per cent over the four weeks to 4 October compared with the same period a year earlier. Like-for-like grocery price inflation rose from 2.3 per cent in the previous four-week period.
Spending on promotions was more than £250m higher than a year earlier. Worldpanel said shoppers were relying on special offers to manage household budgets, with the Autumn Budget approaching and concern about petrol costs adding to financial pressure.
Over the 12 weeks to 4 October, Lidl’s market share rose to 8.6 per cent from 8.2 per cent a year earlier. Its sales increased by 7.1 per cent, with growth reported in fruit, vegetables and wine, and the chain attracted more than half a million additional customers during the period.
Aldi remained the larger of the two discount chains, but its market share slipped to 10.5 per cent from 10.6 per cent. Sales rose by 0.4 per cent year on year. Lidl’s latest share was above Morrisons’ 8.3 per cent, while Tesco held 27.8 per cent and Sainsbury’s 15.2 per cent.
The figures measure spending through supermarket tills rather than the number of items bought. That means value sales can rise even when households buy fewer goods, particularly when prices are increasing. Worldpanel reported that Asda held 11.5 per cent of the market, while online specialist Ocado’s sales rose by 12.4 per cent.
The results underline the continuing contest between Britain’s traditional supermarkets and the discounters. Lidl’s stronger growth has narrowed the gap with Aldi, although Aldi remains comfortably ahead in market share. For shoppers, the data point to sustained promotional competition alongside continued pressure on the cost of a weekly shop.
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The article is based on a same-day Worldpanel release and a separate report from The Independent. The main figures and the explanation of the dataset’s limits are supported by the cited sources.
- confirmed Take-home grocery sales rose by 1 per cent in the four weeks to 4 October 2026. — Reported by Worldpanel by Numerator. source
- confirmed Like-for-like grocery price inflation rose to 2.5 per cent. — Reported by Worldpanel by Numerator. source
- confirmed Lidl’s market share reached 8.6 per cent and sales rose by 7.1 per cent over the 12 weeks to 4 October. — Reported by Worldpanel by Numerator and The Independent. source
- confirmed Aldi’s market share was 10.5 per cent and its sales rose by 0.4 per cent. — Reported by Worldpanel by Numerator and The Independent. source
- confirmed Promotional spending was more than £250m higher than a year earlier. — Reported by Worldpanel by Numerator and The Independent. source
- confirmed The figures measure spending through supermarket tills rather than units bought. — Worldpanel explains that its grocery market-share methodology is based on till spending. source
Editor's note
The market-share, sales and inflation figures are from Worldpanel by Numerator’s 13 October release and are independently reported by The Independent. The data measures spending, so it does not by itself establish changes in the number of products bought.Sources
- British shoppers seek autumn staples, while grocery inflation edges up to 2.5% — Worldpanel by Numerator
- Rising UK supermarket price inflation forcing shoppers to hunt for bargains — The Independent
More on this in other media
- BBC News — „lidl aldi”
- The Guardian — „lidl aldi”
- Sky News — „lidl aldi”