The market share of the leading supermarkets in Great Britain (GB) from January 2017 to March 2025 has remained fairly stable. Tesco and Sainsbury's had the largest share over the period under consideration, holding **** percent of the market together as of March 2025. Prior to the popularity of the discounters, the grocery retail market was dominated by the 'big four' supermarkets: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons. On the back of the post-Brexit uncertainty and growing inflation, consumer behavior has shifted in favor of cheaper alternatives such as Aldi and Lidl. In September 2022, Aldi took over fourth place in the grocery store ranking from Morrisons for the first time. In April 2023, Aldi's market share reached double digits for the first time. In March 2025, this figure stood at ** percent.

This statistic displays the distribution of the grocery market among leading grocery retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2011 to 2015. Tesco held the largest share at 25 percent in 2011, dropping by six percentage points to a 19 percent share of the grocery retail market by 2015. Prior to the popularity of the discounters, the grocery retail market was dominated by the 'big four' supermarkets: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. On the back of the economic recession and growing inflation, however, consumer behavior has shifted in favor of cheaper alternatives and discount supermarkets. The resulting 'price wars' has led to supermarkets lowering their prices and the highest share of food volume sales on promotion in Europe. Crucially, this has caused increased volatility in the grocery retail market and, as of 2017, Aldi overtook the Co-operative to become the fifth largest supermarket in the UK according to data from Kantar Worldpanel.

In 2021, the total market value of grocery retailing came to approximately ***** billion British pounds (GBP) in the United Kingdom. Of the five major sales channels, supermarkets had the largest share of the market value with ** billion pounds. Supermarkets had more than twice as big a market value as the convenience channel, the second largest channel. By 2027, the value of grocery retailing is expected to increase to over *** billion British pounds. Where UK shoppers buy groceries Some 88 percent of surveyed grocery shoppers stated that they regularly shopped at supermarkets in the UK. Online retailers ranked in second place, with*** percent. Market leader Tesco held just over one-quarter of the market share of all grocery stores in Great Britain in September 2022. Together with Sainsbury's, the two retailers had a combined market share of **** percent. Tesco operated roughly ***** stores in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in 2022. With this presence the company regularly reached ** percent of shoppers according to a recent survey.

The Supermarkets industry has undergone something of a shift over the past decade – discounters Aldi and Lidl have penetrated the customer base of the traditional “Big Four” supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons), with their low prices and improving quality of products resonating with price-conscious shoppers. Over the five years through 2024-25, supermarkets' revenue is forecast to dip at a compound annual rate of 1.1% to £192.1 billion, though it's expected to inch up by 0.6% in 2024-25. Grocery price inflation has eased in 2024-25, with this stabilisation supporting consumer confidence, which has sparked greater sales volumes across major supermarket chains. Over the five years through 2024-25, the cost-of-living crisis has constrained households’ budgets, with shoppers spending less on non-essentials, shopping around more and turning to discount supermarkets. The landscape for UK supermarkets has been characterised by intense competition and emerging consumer trends. Discount retailers like Lidl and Aldi have aggressively expanded their market presence by capitalising on streamlined supply chains and low operational costs, enticing budget-conscious shoppers. Their success has prompted traditional supermarkets to embark on price wars and promotional strategies like Aldi price matches, illustrating the sector's dynamic nature. Concurrently, loyalty programmes have proven instrumental in bolstering supermarkets' profitability. Tesco, for instance, reported exponential growth in its Clubcard membership, thereby solidifying its market share. Looking forward, consumer preferences for quick and convenient shopping will threaten the traditional weekly shop. Convenience stores are likely to benefit from the little, local and often trend, stealing sales away from supermarkets. Sustainability is a growing concern for both shoppers and supermarkets. As disposable incomes recover, shoppers will emphasise sustainably produced, sourced and packaged products. Supermarkets will invest heavily in decarbonising their operations by purchasing electric fleets. However, additional costs caused by hikes to employers’ National Insurance contribution outlined in the 2024 Autumn Budget will force supermarkets to pass on additional costs to consumers, threatening their price competitiveness. Over the five years through 2029-30, supermarkets' revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 2.1% to £213.4 billion.

Grocery markets' performance is sensitive to the level of household disposable income, health consciousness, environmental awareness and competition from other grocery retailers like supermarkets. Health consciousness and environmental awareness are ever-growing, with individuals more concerned about the provenance of their food. Organic, sustainable and local products are growing in popularity and boosting revenue as consumers are happy to pay a premium for higher-quality goods with traceable production. Grocery markets experienced a 45-year high in food price inflation in 2023, with similar rises in the cost of domestic and imported food inputs, placing significant pressure on stall operators' purchase costs. Local councils, faced with tight budgets, raised the price of pitch rents, adding to the operational costs of stall operators. A combination of these two things and depressed purchasing power among shoppers led to a drop in sales volumes. In 2024-25, revenue is forecast to grow by 0.4%, supported by growth in consumer confidence. Over the five years through 2024-25, industry-wide revenue is anticipated to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.3% to £370.8 million, supported by growing spend on premium products like artisan bread and organic meats, as real wages recover. Looking forward, supermarket competition will continue to rise. Grocery markets must find innovative ways to boost their competitiveness by improving the shopping experience, like subscription-type models, speedy delivery or personalised services and expanding the product range. Grocery markets' revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 9.7% to reach £589.1 million over the five years through 2029-30.

In 2023, is was forecast that the grocery market in the United Kingdom would grow by around 6.1 percent. Growth hit an all-time high in 2020 at over eight percent and is forecast to decrease to 2.3 percent by 2026.

Market shares of grocery stores

As of August 2023, the four most important players on the grocery market were Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Aldi. The market leader Tesco had a share of over a quarter of the market. Fifth-placed Morrisons was around 1.5 percent away from retaking fourth place from Aldi.

Sales channels

The most relevant grocery sales channels measured by generated monetary value are supermarkets and convenience stores. Discounters, a smaller channel in comparison, still surpassed online sales.

Market Size statistics on the Supermarkets industry in United Kingdom

Snapshot img

UK Grocery Retail Market Size 2025-2029

The UK grocery retail market size is forecast to increase by USD 56.2 billion at a CAGR of 3.8% between 2024 and 2029.

The UK Grocery Retail Market is segmented by product (food and beverages, non food), distribution channel (hypermarkets and supermarkets, convenience stores, discount stores, online, others), sales channel (in-store, online delivery, click-and-collect), consumer segment (urban consumers, rural consumers, premium shoppers), product types (fresh produce, packaged foods, household goods, health and beauty), and geography (Europe: UK). This segmentation reflects the market's diversity, driven by increasing demand for Fresh Produce and Health and Beauty products, growing Online and Click-and-Collect channels in urban areas, and a mix of Hypermarkets and Discount Stores catering to both Premium Shoppers and Rural Consumers across the UK.
The Grocery Retail Market in the UK is witnessing significant growth, driven by the trend of rapid urbanization and the resulting increase in consumer spending. These trends are driving the industry to innovate and offer more personalized shopping experiences through unique store layouts and expanded product offerings such as online grocery delivery services.
However, the market faces challenges, including the threat from counterfeit grocery products or instant grocery, which can negatively impact consumer trust and brand reputation. Retailers must prioritize measures to ensure product authenticity and maintain transparency with customers to mitigate these risks.
Navigating this complex landscape requires a strategic approach, with a focus on building strong relationships with suppliers, implementing effective pricing strategies, and leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement. Companies that can successfully address these challenges while capitalizing on the market's growth opportunities will be well-positioned for success in the dynamic and competitive Grocery Retail Market in the UK.

What will be the size of the UK Grocery Retail Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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In the dynamic UK grocery retail market, sustainability practices are increasingly shaping consumer behavior. Retailers are adopting store designs that prioritize energy efficiency and waste reduction. Customer experience is a key differentiator, with retailers investing in promotion optimization, loyalty programs, and personalized marketing. Consumer trends towards healthier eating and convenience drive product assortment decisions. Retail management focuses on supply chain optimization, retail analytics, and category management to meet demand. Grocery technology, including digital marketing, e-commerce logistics, and inventory control, is transforming food retailing.
Store formats are evolving to include omnichannel retail and demand forecasting to better serve customers. Brand management and social media marketing are essential for building customer loyalty and engagement. Shelf space optimization and category management are crucial for maximizing sales and profitability.

How is this market segmented?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Product

  Food and beverages
  Non food


Distribution Channel

  Hypermarkets and supermarkets
  Convenience stores
  Discount stores
  Online
  Others


Sales Channel

  In-Store
  Online Delivery
  Click-and-Collect


Consumer Segment

  Urban Consumers
  Rural Consumers
  Premium Shoppers


Product Types

  Fresh Produce
  Packaged Foods
  Household Goods
  Health and Beauty


Geography

  Europe

    UK

By Product Insights

The food and beverages segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

In the dynamic grocery retail market, various entities shape the industry landscape. Hygiene standards are prioritized to ensure food safety, while value products cater to consumers' increasing demand for affordability. Warehouse management systems streamline operations, and seasonal produce offers freshness and variety. Free-from products, such as gluten-free and vegan, cater to diverse dietary needs. Self-checkout kiosks enhance the shopping experience, and convenience stores cater to on-the-go consumers. Dairy products, canned goods, and dietary supplements are essential staples, while premium and private label brands differentiate offerings. Meat products, dairy, and bakery items are popular, with sales forecasting and local sourcing ensuring freshness and availability.

Sales in the household goods segment

Over the five years through 2025-26, industry revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 3.3% to £23.8 billion. The post-pandemic unwinding has been sharp, with online grocery orders falling from their lockdown highs as consumers return to physical stores. Meanwhile, aggressive pricing from discounters like Lidl and Aldi has pressured full-service grocers to match value, often through margin-eroding tactics like loyalty pricing, discounting and delivery subsidies. Demand for online grocery hasn’t disappeared – far from it – but it has normalised, and the cost of fulfilment remains high. Supermarkets continue to struggle with thin margins as the price of labour, fuel and delivery infrastructure weighs heavily on profit. In 2025-26, revenue is expected to rise modestly by 1.7%, reflecting a more stable consumer backdrop and slower inflation, particularly in food categories. Retailers have continued investing in automation and fulfilment innovations – from robotic picking systems to hyperlocal delivery hubs. Still, many of these upgrades are capital-intensive and have yet to ease the industry’s cost burden fully, but price sensitivity remains high. While loyalty schemes and one-hour delivery services help retain customers, they also demand substantial ongoing investment, limiting any meaningful recovery in profitability. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 2.5% over the five years through 2030-31 to £26.8 billion. Growth will likely remain tepid as household budgets stay under pressure and the market becomes increasingly saturated. Major companies will likely consolidate their lead by expanding automation, refining logistics and bundling services through apps and loyalty platforms. Still, with delivery speed expectations rising and margins staying thin, grocers must carefully balance convenience with cost discipline to remain competitive.

This statistic represents the total market shares of top grocery retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2016. Total market shares include offline and online shares. The leading company in groceries retail is Tesco with 28.1 percent of the market share. The second place is held by Sainsbury's with 15.9 percent, which is closely followed by Asda with 15.7 percent. Chains like Aldi and Lidl which do not sell online, have less than 10 percent of the market share.

Counts of supermarkets and counts grouped by size band and type of retailer, across various geographical areas. Geographies include Local Authority Districts (LAD) in the UK, Middle Layer Super Output Area (MSOA) in England and Wales, Intermediate Zones in Scotland, and Super Data Zones in Northern Ireland. Counts of supermarkets per 10,000 people are also provided for LAD level.

As of the 12-week period leading up to August 14, 2021, Marks & Spencer had a share of *** percent of the United Kingdom’s grocery market. This figure was fairly stable over the period of time observed. Marks & Spencer in focus Marks and Spencer Group plc is a mixed retailer with headquarters in London. The company sells clothes, home products, and food. The company was founded in 1884 and operates over a ******** stores in the UK and *** stores overseas. The company’s stores and businesses are operated by ************* employees. Marks & Spencer revenues In the most recently reported period, Marks & Spencer generated a revenue of over **** billion British pounds. The company made most of its revenue with food sales in the UK. Its international operations and franchises only made up a small part of the company’s revenues. In 2020, the company started a partnership with online grocer Ocado to sell food products online. Meanwhile, its clothing and home revenue has been shrinking for the past ten financial years.

In the United Kingdom, Aldi, M&S Food, and Lidl were the most popular three supermarket chains in Q4 2024. All three topped the ranking with 78 percent of respondents having a positive opinion of the food retailer. Sainsbury's and Tesco came in second and third places and were popular with 74 percent and 72 percent of those polled in this study, respectively. UK grocery market The entire UK grocery market was worth almost 212 billion British pounds in 2021. Market leader Tesco operated over 4,100 stores in 2023. In comparison, mixed retailer M&S operated slightly over 1,050 stores in the UK. Marks & Spencer as a grocery retailer M&S is a mixed retailer and sometimes not even included in statistics about the UK grocery market. When viewed as a grocery store, the company had a market share of slightly over three percent as of August 2021. Compared other grocery and food retailers, M&S is only a minor player on the market. Since the first of September 2020, M&S grocery products can be ordered via the online grocery store Ocado.

The UK Dog Food Market is segmented by Pet Food Product (Food, Pet Nutraceuticals/Supplements, Pet Treats, Pet Veterinary Diets) and by Distribution Channel (Convenience Stores, Online Channel, Specialty Stores, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets). The market volume and value are presented in metric ton and USD respectively. The key data points include the market size of pet food by products, distribution channels, and pets.

************ held the largest share of the organic food and drink market in the UK in 2024 at almost ** percent. ************* ranked in second place with a share of **** percent.

In 2021, the size of the UK grocery market stood at around *** billion British pounds. The market has been steadily growing since 2004 and is estimated to reach over *** billion British pounds by 2027. Grocery retail channels It was estimated that in 2027, supermarkets will be the largest sales channel for grocery retail with a value of almost ** billion pounds. Online channels are expected to amount to **** billion pounds. UK grocery market The five leading companies on the grocery market are Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, and Aldi. It was only the German discounter Aldi that saw rapid growth and has proven to be a significant disruptive force on the market. On average, households in the UK spent **** British pounds on food and non-alcoholic drinks per week in 2020.

Supermarkets only account for 19 percent of all petrol and diesel selling forecourt sites in the United Kingdom, however they have a petrol sales share of nearly 50 percent. In 2020, 49.2 percent of petrol sales were made via supermarket forecourts. Supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda prove the popular choice for many UK drivers. Supermarket petrol prices are on average cheaper than from any other brand.

In the 16 weeks ending on April 16, 2023, branded goods made up ** percent of all supermarket sales in the United Kingdom. Own-label standard goods made up the same share, while own-label value ranges made up just ***** percent.

In the United Kingdom, Sainsbury's, M&S Food, and Aldi were the most popular three supermarket chains in Q1 2025. Sainsbury's topped the ranking with 84 percent of respondents having a positive opinion of the food retailer. M&S Food and Aldi came in second and third places and were popular with 81 percent and 78 percent of those polled in this study, respectively. UK grocery market The entire UK grocery market was worth almost 227 billion British pounds in 2024, according to estimates. Market leader Tesco operated over 4,300 stores as of May 2025. In comparison, mixed retailer M&S operated close to 1,100 stores in the UK. Marks & Spencer as a grocery retailer M&S is a mixed retailer and sometimes not even included in statistics about the UK grocery market. When viewed as a grocery store, the company had a market share of slightly over three percent as of August 2021. Compared to other grocery and food retailers, M&S is only a minor player on the market. Since the first of September 2020, M&S grocery products can be ordered via the online grocery store Ocado.

Coles and Woolworths’ high market share has raised the risk of exploitative business practices. AU profit compared with UK and US data paints the most accurate picture.