Aldi is set to overtake Co-op and become the UK‘s fifth largest grocery store, meaning only the Big 4 grocers hold more market share.
New figures from Kantar Worldpanel‘s Grocery Market Share index are due this week, with strong Christmas sales at the German discounter leading to expectations it will move up the rankings.
Co-op currently holds a 6.4 per cent market share compared to Aldi‘s 5.6 per cent.
However, Aldi is anticipated to rise to six per cent, taking share from its rivals.
Despite this potential milestone, breaking into the Big 4 is still a way off, as its closest rival Morrisons holds 10.8 per cent of the market share.
READ MORE: “The Co-op is back” following stellar Q4 trading
Co-op has had a difficult few years, coming close to complete collapse in 2013.
However, it recently posted positive trading results with a 3.4 per cent rise in like-for-likes between September 21 and December 31 last year.
Aldi has been a constant thorn in the side of the UK‘s dominant retailers, with sales more than doubling in the last four years.
“Aldi and its German rival Lidl have shaken up the UK grocery sector, helped in no small part by the weaker economic environment,” TCC Global retail marketing consultant Bryan Roberts told This is Money.
“Aldi’s latest growth is testament to the huge improvement it has made in its range and stores in the past two years, which has been warmly received by less affluent and middle-class shoppers alike.”
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