Lidl overtakes Morrisons to become fifth largest supermarket in UK

German-owned discounter's sales rise 8.8% year on year as households seek ways to keep bills down

Lidl has overtaken Morrisons to become the UK's fifth largest grocer as its sales were powered ahead by households seeking to keep a lid on their weekly bills.

The German-owned discounter increased its sales by 8.8% year on year - making it the fastest-growing store-based grocer - to hit a record high market share of 8.6% over the 12 weeks to 17 May, according to figures from the market analysts Worldpanel by Numerator. That compared with an 8.3% share for Morrisons in the period as the Bradford-based chain grew its sales by only 1.3% compared with a year earlier.