Member Article

Asda sales take a hit amidst retail ‘storm’

Asda saw sales drop 4.7% in the second quarter as the supermarket wars wage on.

Asda, which is headquartered in Leeds, dropped to third place in the UK grocery market share - falling behind Sainsbury’s for the first time in 12 years.

The UK’s big four supermarkets have all suffered from fluctuating sales and profits as a result of heightening competition from European budget brands such as Lidl and Aldi.

According to the latest report from Kantar Worldpanel, Asda holds a market share of 16.4% after reporting a decrease in sales of 2.7% in the 12 weeks ending July 19. Sainsbury’s also saw a fall in sales of 0.3% but its market share lies at 16.5%.

Aldi and Lidl currently control 5.6% and 4% of the UK grocery market respectively.

Asda boss Andy Clarke said the supermarket had seen the “worst storm in retail history”.

Clarke said: “The market is in exceptionally challenging times … We have certainly hit our nadir. Every business has got to have one and this is ours. We are on an upward trend and we have got positive green shoots [in the coming quarter].”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .