Symbols and independent retailers recorded 3.8 per cent growth in take-home sales in the 12 weeks to 7 September 2025, according to the latest grocery market share figures from Worldpanel by Numerator.
Across the wider market, take-home grocery sales rose by 4.8 per cent in the four weeks to 7 September compared with last year, while grocery price inflation dipped for the second month in a row to 4.9 per cent.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, said that while inflation has slowed, “prices are still on the rise and the battle between own label lines and brands continues as household finances remain tight.” Own-label goods now account for 51.2 per cent of sales, up from 50.9 per cent a year ago, with premium ranges growing fastest at 10.3 per cent.
The return to school and work routines influenced shopping habits in early September, with families spending more on lunchbox staples such as yogurt (up 26 per cent), sliced meats (up 17 per cent) and cheddar cheese (up 24 per cent). Grocery retailers also performed strongly in the back-to-school clothing market, growing 8.4 per cent year on year.
Among the major grocers, Tesco gained the most market share in the 12 weeks to 7 September, now at 28.4 per cent after 7.7 per cent growth – its best performance since December 2023. Ocado remained the fastest-growing retailer overall with sales up 11.9 per cent, while Lidl led bricks-and-mortar growth at 11.0 per cent. Aldi’s share held at 10.7 per cent on growth of 4.7 per cent, while Sainsbury’s sales increased by 5.4 per cent, taking its market share to 15.1 per cent.
By contrast, Asda and Co-op were the only retailers to see sales decline in this period. Asda’s sales fell 2.7 per cent year on year, reducing its share to 11.8 per cent, while Co-op’s were down 2.0 per cent, leaving it with a 5.4 per cent share of the market.
Iceland’s sales grew by 4.7 per cent with its share steady at 2.3 per cent, while Waitrose was up 4.3 per cent and grocery sales at M&S increased 5.9 per cent year on year.