Marks & Spencer was Britain's fastest growing food retailer in the 12 weeks to 4 December, market researcher NielsenIQ said on Tuesday, providing more evidence the group's latest turnaround plan is delivering.
NielsenIQ said M&S's sales rose 9.1% in the period year-on-year, outpacing German-owned discounters Lidl and Aldi, which recorded growth of 8.3% and 4.6% respectively.
They were the only three retailers to grow sales against the same period last year.
Market leader Tesco was the best performing of the so-called big four grocers, with its 0.7% sales decline significantly outperforming Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons, who recorded declines of 4.6%, 4.2% and 5.6% respectively.
Comparative numbers were tough as in the same period last year Britain was in COVID-19 lockdown.
Rival market researcher Kantar does not include M&S in its monthly reports.
Beat Q2 Forecasts
Last month M&S, which also sells clothing and homeware, beat forecasts for first-half profit and upgraded its earnings outlook for the second time this year, sending its stock soaring on bets that one of Britain's most elusive turnarounds could finally materialise.
Its shares are up more than 70% so far this year.
NielsenIQ said total UK till grocery sales fell 2.5% in the four weeks to 4 December year-on-year.
However, it said spending has picked-up with sales down just 0.9% in the first week of December.
Spending Forecast
The researcher forecast British shoppers would spend £6.8 billion ($9 billion) at supermarkets in the two weeks to 24 December.
It said British shoppers were seeking to treat themselves to more premium and higher value items this Christmas, with the average value of the shopping basket running 2.6% higher this year.
News by Reuters edited by Donna Ahern Checkout. For more Retail stories click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
