Data from Kantar Worldpanel claims that German supermarket chain Aldi has overtaken Waitrose to become the sixth largest grocer in the UK.

Aldi now has 5.3% of the market, according to the figures, compared to John Lewis-owned Waitrose’s 5.1% of the market, despite a market-beating sales rise recently.

Aldi now has the UK’s fifth largest supermarket, the Co-op, in its sights with less than a percentage point separating the two in terms of market share.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said:  “Growth has been fuelled by over half a million new shoppers choosing to visit Aldi this year and average basket sizes increasing by 7%.  The German discounter’s sales have increased by 16.8% in the latest period, still high compared to other retailers but slower relative to its recent performance.”