Asda ‘overtakes’ Sainsbury’s amid efforts to clinch £13 billion merger

Asda on Tuesday leapfrogged Sainsbury’s to become Britain’s second-biggest supermarket chain for the first time in four years amid last-ditch efforts to go ahead with a £13 billion merger.

Sainsbury’s sales fell 1.8% over the 12 weeks to March 24, with its market share shrinking to 15.3% from 15.8% in the same period last year, industry data from Kantar Worldpanel showed on Tuesday. Asda’s market share edged up 0.1% to 15.4%.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s, however, said the grocer was still number two because the figures don’t include sales from Argos, which it owns.

Sainsbury’s and Asda were dealt a blow in February after the competition watchdog said customers could see higher prices if they combine and it could block the deal. A final verdict is expected by the end of the month.

Tesco’s sales rose 0.5% and it remained the clear market leader with a share of 27.4%.

Sales at Morrisons dropped 0.1%, giving it a market share of 10.3%. All Big Four grocers continued to lose market share to German discounters Aldi and Lidl.