In a significant shift within the UK supermarket sector, Lidl has officially surpassed Morrisons to become the fifth-largest supermarket in the country for food and drink sales. Recent figures from Kantar – now operating under its new name, Worldpanel – reveal that Lidl’s market share rose from 7.3% to 7.7% over the past 52 weeks, driven by a substantial 10.1% boost in sales. In comparison, Morrisons’ share slipped from 7.8% to 7.6%, with sales increasing by a modest 1.5%.
The latest data, seen by The Grocer, reflects performance across fresh, chilled, and ambient groceries but excludes categories such as alcohol, household goods, toiletries, and healthcare. A spokesperson for Worldpanel clarified:
“We do not publish retailer market share data for select categories. Our grocery market share release provides a full view of grocers’ performance, including all expenditure through store tills except petrol and in-store concessions.”
Lidl’s momentum and expansion plans
Lidl, recently crowned Grocer of the Year at the prestigious Grocer Gold Awards in July, shows no signs of slowing down. The retailer has ambitious plans to open 40 new stores in 2025, with a long-term target of expanding its UK footprint to 1,500 stores, following Aldi’s lead with its established network of around 1,050 outlets.
This aggressive expansion, combined with its competitive pricing strategy and focus on quality fresh produce, has helped Lidl strengthen its position against the UK’s traditional supermarket giants. In terms of the food and drink segment, Lidl now ranks behind Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and Asda.
Monthly data still shows a close race
Kantar’s monthly grocery update, which tracks overall store spending excluding petrol and concessions, still places Morrisons narrowly ahead of Lidl. In the 12 weeks leading to 13 July 2025, Morrisons retained an 8.4% share of the grocery market compared to Lidl’s record-high 8.3%. However, Lidl’s performance has been driven by an impressive 11.1% sales increase year-on-year, while Morrisons has struggled to maintain momentum, recording only a 1% rise in sales during the same period.
Industry analysts suggest that Lidl’s current trajectory will see it surpass Morrisons in the broader grocery market early in 2026, solidifying its position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing supermarkets.
Morrisons responds to market shift
In response to the data, a Morrisons spokesperson told The Grocer:
“The numbers are partly a function of new supermarket openings, where we haven’t added new space for some time, and the survey doesn’t capture all of the growth we are seeing in convenience and wholesale, and our Myton manufacturing business.”
Despite this, the market data highlights the increasing challenge facing the list of legacy supermarkets as discount chains continue to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers, particularly during ongoing economic pressures.
So in Conclusion
Lidl’s sharp rise underscores the changing landscape of UK food retail, where customer preferences for value and efficiency are reshaping market dynamics. With a strong pipeline of store openings and continued sales growth, Lidl’s competitive momentum is expected to persist well into 2026.
