ASDA was the biggest loser from Christmas as it sales slump shows little sign of slowing.
Its chief executive Andy Clarke had warned in the run-up to Christmas that “I don’t think when the numbers are released in January you are going to see many [retail bosses] with a big smile of joy” and the first trading figures for the sector have backed that up.
Sales data from industry analysts Kantar Worldpanel, for the 12 weeks to January 3, showed no Christmas uplift for the British grocery market as sales fell by 0.2% on last year thanks to continuing price deflation.
But sales at the Leeds-headquartered supermarket fell 3.5% in the 12 weeks to January 3. Its market share is at 16.2%, remaining at a nine-year low.
Only Iceland, with a 4.1% drop, suffered a larger drop among the larger multiples.
The structural upheaval caused by discounters Aldi and Lidl continued into the Christmas period. Lidl was the fastest growing retailer overall, with sales up by 18.5%, while Aldi increased sales by 13.3%.
