M&S has risen to become the leading grocer in Middle England, surpassing Waitrose for the first time outside the festive season.
- Recent market data shows M&S achieving a 4.03% market share, while Waitrose’s share decreased to 3.91%.
- M&S recorded a significant sales increase of 11%, outperforming Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco.
- Analysts attribute M&S’s success to strong produce sales and a positive perception of value.
- M&S’s half-year profits have surged, marking a fourth consecutive year of market growth.
M&S has stepped ahead of Waitrose, becoming the preferred grocer for Middle England outside typical festive peaks. Market figures shown to The Telegraph indicate that M&S has outperformed Waitrose in sales over the last month. With stronger growth than its competitors, M&S secured a 4.03% market share as of 3 November, compared to 3.76% the previous year. In contrast, Waitrose saw a reduction to 3.91% from 4.02%.
In the period under review, M&S achieved the most significant sales growth among supermarkets, with an 11% rise year-on-year. This contrasts with growth rates at Lidl of 6.9%, Sainsbury’s at 6.3%, and Tesco at 5.8%. In comparison, Waitrose increased sales by just 1%, outperforming only Asda and the Co-op.
Analysts have described the new data from Kantar as a clear indicator of M&S’s upward trend. They highlight a steady rise in the company’s produce, meat, and dairy offerings as pivotal to this success, alongside a decade-high value perception.
M&S’s recent half-year financial results underscore their ongoing progress, with profits before tax and adjustments rising by over 17%, reaching £407.8 million. This marks the fourth consecutive year of growth in market share, driven by a robust programme of innovation and strong sales in both clothing and food sectors.
M&S’s strategic focus on value and product innovation has positioned it as Middle England’s preferred grocery retailer.
