Aldi has overtaken Waitrose to become the UK’s sixth largest supermarket group, according to new figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

In the 12 weeks ending 29 March, Aldi’s sales grew by 16.8%, taking its market share to 5.3% - ahead of Waitrose on 5.1%.

Lidl and Waitrose were the only other major retailers to grow sales ahead of the market and increase their market share over the period. Waitrose’s sales grew by 2.9% year on year, while Lidl’s sales grew by 12.1%, taking its market share to 3.7%.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco experienced moderate sales growth of 0.2% and 0.3% respectively, while Asda’s and Morrisons’ sales declined by 1.1% and 0.7% respectively.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said: “Aldi has recorded double-digit sales growth for the past four years and is now Britain’s sixth largest supermarket with 5.3% of the market.

“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.”

He added that Aldi and Lidl now command a combined 9.0% share of the market, up from 5.4% in 2012. Meanwhile, the big four’s combined share of 72.8% is the lowest level in a decade.