Lidl Solidifies UK Market Lead Over Morrisons, Plans 50 New Stores

Lidl has secured a record market share in the United Kingdom, reinforcing its position as the nation's fifth-largest supermarket and widening the gap with Morrisons. According to figures from Worldpanel by Numerator, Lidl now commands 8.7 percent of the grocery market for the three months ending June 14, surpassing Morrisons' 8.4 percent share. This marks a continuation of Lidl's lead, which it first achieved in May.

Lidl's expansion has been driven by an increase in store openings over recent years. The company has announced plans to open more than 50 new stores within the next 12 months, supported by a $600 million investment that is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs. This strategic growth has allowed Lidl to attract customers from larger, traditional supermarkets. Retail experts note Lidl's significant market ascent, having grown from a 1.4 percent share just two decades ago.

Meanwhile, Aldi, another German discounter, holds the fourth-largest market share at 10.7 percent and is closing in on Asda, which currently sits in third place with 11.5 percent.

Lidl's sales increased by 8.6 percent to just under $3.2 billion in the latest three-month period, attracting over half a million more shoppers compared to the same period last year. Both Lidl and Morrisons saw their market share grow by 0.1 percentage point during the month. Morrisons, however, experienced slower sales growth of 1.4 percent, reaching just under $3.1 billion.

Morrisons has faced challenges in retaining shoppers since its acquisition by US buyout group Clayton, Dubilier and Rice (CD&R) in 2021. Asda, also owned by a private equity group, has likewise struggled, reporting a 3.6 percent decrease in sales to just under $4.2 billion, making it the only major grocer to see a sales decline last month. Asda's boss, Allan Leighton, is implementing price cuts in an effort to revitalize the supermarket's performance.

The retail landscape is being shaped by increased competition and rising costs, partly attributed to the conflict in the Middle East, which has impacted energy and logistics expenses. Despite these pressures, grocery inflation eased to 3 percent in the four weeks leading up to June 14, down from 3.1 percent the previous month. Price increases are most notable in categories like fresh fish and skincare, while prices for butter and smoothies have seen the steepest declines.

Britain's Largest Supermarkets by Market Share (as of June 14, 2026):

Tesco - 28% Sainsbury's - 15.3% Asda - 11.5% Aldi - 10.7% Lidl - 8.7% Morrisons - 8.4% Co-op - 5.3% Waitrose - 4.5% Iceland - 2.2% Ocado - 2.2%