Recent data from NIQ highlights Lidl’s growing advantage over Aldi.
- Lidl’s sales increased by 8% over 12 weeks ending 15 June.
- Aldi saw a 1% decline in revenue, facing tough comparisons.
- Market share for Aldi dropped from 10.8% to 10.4%, while Lidl’s rose to 7.6%.
- Both retailers attract new shoppers but average spend per visit dropped.
Recent data from NIQ has revealed a notable shift in the competitive landscape between major discounters, Lidl and Aldi. According to the analysis, Lidl has demonstrated a significant surge in sales, marking an 8% increase over the 12-week period ending 15 June. In contrast, Aldi’s revenue has declined by 1%, a change attributed to facing particularly challenging comparatives from the previous year, where it experienced the highest growth among retailers during the same period.
In terms of market share, Aldi’s presence has diminished slightly, dropping from 10.8% last year to 10.4% this year. Meanwhile, Lidl has capitalised on its momentum, increasing its market share from 7.2% to 7.6%. This shift indicates Lidl’s successful strategies in attracting more consumers and enhancing its market position relative to its rival.
Despite these changes, both Lidl and Aldi continue to attract new customers, with a noted increase in shopper visits. However, a significant trend has been spotted where the average expenditure per visit has reduced compared to the previous year. This phenomenon suggests a broader consumer behaviour shift, likely influenced by evolving economic conditions and spending power.
NIQ’s UK head of retailer and business insight, Mike Watkins, pointed out that with the discounter market share reaching a plateau, future growth will heavily depend on opening new stores and boosting visit frequency. He highlighted the need to counterbalance the spending acquired during periods of high inflation, which might already be shifting back to conventional supermarkets.
Apart from the discounter dynamics, other key players in the grocery sector have shown varying performances. Ocado, for instance, stands out with a remarkable 12.6% increase in sales over the past three months. M&S follows with a 7.1% rise, while market shares for both Sainsbury’s and Tesco have grown by 0.3 percentage points each, indicating a competitive atmosphere beyond the discount sector.
The data underscores the competitive dynamics in the grocery sector, with Lidl gaining momentum over Aldi amidst fluctuating market conditions.
