Tesco mkt share grows for 1st time in 2 yrs-TNS

LONDON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Tesco (TSCO.L), Britain's largest
retailer, is growing market share in its core grocery business
for the first time in almost two years, market researchers TNS
Worldpanel said on Tuesday.

Tesco's sales rose 4.7 percent in the 12 weeks to Nov. 1,
ahead of the market average of 4.4 percent, helped by the
expansion of its Clubcard loyalty scheme in August, TNS said.

This nudged its market share up to 30.7 percent from 30.6
percent at the same time last year.

Tesco continued to lag its main rivals over the 12-week
period. However, analysts said data from the last four weeks put
Tesco ahead of J Sainsbury (SBRY.L).

Sales at upmarket chain Waitrose [JLP.UL] surged 12.3
percent over the 12-week period, its best performance since
September 2005 and a sign recessionary pressures are easing.

Growth at Asda, Britain's second-biggest supermarket chain,
was 6.6 percent, while third-placed J Sainsbury (SBRY.L) was on
5.6 percent and fourth-placed Wm Morrison Supermarkets (MRW.L)
on 8.5 percent.

Grocery price inflation fell for the eighth successive
12-week period to 3.2 percent.

Following is a summary of market share and sales results
findings:

12 wks to 12 wks to pct change

01/11/09 02/11/08
Total till roll
(mln stg) 28,435 28,074 1.3
Total grocers
(mln stg) 21,268 20,364 4.4
Total multiples
(mln stg) 20,800 19,869 4.7

Market share in percent

12 wks to 12 wks to pct change

01/11/09 02/11/08 in sales
Tesco 30.7 30.6 4.7
Asda 17.3 16.9 6.6
Sainsbury 15.9 15.7 5.6
Morrison 11.7 11.3 8.5
Total Co-operative 7.9 9.1 -9.5
Waitrose 4.0 3.7 12.3
Aldi 3.0 3.0 5.8
Lidl 2.3 2.3 5.5
Iceland 1.7 1.7 6.6

(Reporting by Mark Potter; Editing by David Cowell)