British retailer Marks & Spencer’s food business has entered Christmas trading with momentum as industry data showed it to be the country’s second-fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar grocer, after discounter Lidl.
Market researcher NIQ said on Wednesday that M&S’s grocery sales in the 12 weeks to 30 November were up 10.6% year-on-year, while Lidl’s sales increased 11.6%.
Online supermarket Ocado – which runs a joint venture with M&S – was the fastest-growing of all the grocers with sales up 16.2%.
Most of NIQ’s data echoed a report from rival market researcher Kantar on Tuesday.
However, Kantar does not include Marks & Spencer in the data set.
M&S typically outperforms rivals at Christmas as consumers trade up to its premium ranges.
Last month, M&S – which also sales homewares and clothing – forecast strong Christmas trading after reporting a 17.2% rise in first-half profit, adding to evidence its latest turnaround plan is working.
Its shares are up 43% this year.
The retailer reported a 58% increase in annual profits in May on the back of a strategy to re-shape the business.
NIQ said UK supermarket sales in the four weeks to 30 November were up 3.7% year-on-year, slowed down from 4.0% the previous month.
It said the slowdown reflected milder weather, the distraction of Black Friday and consumers holding out until December for their Christmas shopping.
Read More: UK Shoppers To Spend More This Christmas On Discounts And Promotions – NIQ
