Poor weather hits UK grocers' sales growth-Nielsen

LONDON Aug 18 (Reuters) - Sales growth at Britain's big supermarkets slowed to 4.0 percent, the lowest for two years, in the four weeks to Aug. 8, impacted by poor weather in late July, market researcher group Nielsen said on Tuesday.

It said Tesco Plc (TSCO.L), Britain's largest retailer, continued to lag its major rivals with growth of 4.2 percent.

Nielsen said industry number two, Wal-Mart Stores Inc's WMT.L Asda, number three J Sainsbury Plc (SBRY.L) and number four Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc (MRW.L) held their market positions with growth of 7.6 percent, 6.8 percent and 7.6 percent respectively, with sales driven by an increase in new customers. It said growth of 11.4 percent at John Lewis' [JLP.UL] Waitrose chain, reflected the success of its Essentials range and new stores, while the performance of Marks & Spencer Plc (MKS.L) picked up with growth of 4.0 percent.

Growth of discounters such as Aldi and Lidl slowed to 7.0 percent.

Nielsen's findings echoed an earlier survey Tuesday from TNS Worldpanel. [ID:LI119285] (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by David Holmes)