New data from retail market analyst TNS has revealed that Tesco's market share in the UK fell slightly to 31 per cent during the 12 weeks to 9 August 2009, down from the 31.2 per cent recorded last year.
By contrast, Wal-Mart owned Asda saw market share increase by 0.5 per cent, up to 17.2 per cent from 16.7 per cent in the same period of 2008.
According to TNS, Sainsbury's remained in third place with a market share of 15.9 per cent, up from 15.6 per cent last year, with Morrisons share also increasing from 11 per cent to 11.4 per cent this year.
The recent boom in the combined market share of discount retailers such as Aldi, Lidl and Netto – which have become increasingly popular during the economic crisis – was not in evidence during the 12 week period, as market share remained stable at 6 per cent.