By Ian Walker LONDON--J Sainsbury PLC (SBRY.LN), Asda and discount retailers Aldi and Lidl were the clear winners in the market share war during the 12 weeks ended June 10, which includes the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, as Britons spent an extra 213 million pounds ($334.0 million) at the tills in the week building up to the long celebratory weekend. However, market shares fell for the former retail sector darling, Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN), and Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC (MRW.LN). In the 12 weeks ended June 10, Tesco's market share fell to 31%, from 31.4% in the 12 weeks ended June 12, 2011, while Morrison's share fell to 11.8%, from 12.2%. J Sainsbury PLC's (SBRY.LN) market share rose to 16.6% in the 12 weeks, from 16.4%. Asda, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), saw its U.K. market share rise to 17.2%, from 16.6% in the comparable period a year earlier. Including Netto, which it bought in April last year, Asda's total market share was unchanged at 17.2%. Upmarket retailer Waitrose also saw its market share rise to 4.6% in the 12 weeks ended June 10, from 4.4%, while discount retailers Aldi and Lidl's joint market share rose to 5.6%, from 4.9%. Separately, Aldi's share rose to 2.8% from 2.3% and Lidl's share rose to 2.8%, from 2.6%. Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel, said the remarkable growth rate recorded over the Jubilee is a sign of what's to come during the Olympics when he expects grocery sales to soar. "Competition is likely to be fierce with fortunes now considerably different among the big four," Mr. Garner added. Sainsbury's and Asda's share rise was due to their successful price promotions--Asda with its Price Guarantee and Sainsbury's with its Brand Match, Mr. Garner said. Earlier this year, Tesco issued its first profit warning in 20 years, citing the most difficult conditions for retailers in living memory. Since that time, however, the retailer has instigated a new round of price cuts and announced a GBP1 billion revamp of its stores. Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@dowjones.com
