British retailer Marks & Spencer’s food business enjoyed robust trading in the run-up to Christmas, according to NIQ.
The industry data showed that the food business saw sales up 6.8% in the four weeks to 28 December, and the retailer’s market share rose to a record 4.8%.
Market researcher NIQ said M&S was the UK’s second-fastest growing bricks-and-mortar food retailer after discounter Lidl, whose sales rose by 8.5%.
Online supermarket Ocado remained the fastest-growing of all grocers, with sales up 13.9%.
Most of NIQ’s data echoed a report from rival market researcher Kantar on Tuesday.
However, Kantar does not include M&S in its UK grocers dataset.
M&S typically outperforms rivals at Christmas as consumers trade up to its premium ranges.
In November, M&S – which also sells clothing and homewares – forecast strong Christmas trading after reporting a 17% rise in first-half profit, adding to evidence its latest turnaround plan is working.
In May, the retailer announced a 58% increase in annual profits following a successful turnaround programme.
M&S’s shares are up 31% over the last year.
The group is due to publish its Christmas trading update on Thursday, with analysts on average forecasting food sales growth of 7.8% for the 13 weeks to 28 December, with clothing & home sales growth of 0.7%.
NIQ said UK supermarket sales in the four-week period were up 3.2% year-on-year, versus growth of 3.7% the previous month.
Read More: Britain’s Marks & Spencer Has Momentum In Christmas Countdown – NIQ
