Tesco has won the festive battle of the big four supermarket chains, according to data from Kantar and Nielsen.

Britain’s biggest retailer’s sales rose 3.1% in the 12 weeks to December 31, Kantar said, although its market share dipped slightly to 28%.

Asda was the next fastest-growing member of the big four, as sales advanced 2.2% during the period.

Morrisons – which unveiled a better-than-expected Christmas trading update this morning – and Sainsbury’s increased sales at 2.1% and 2% respectively.

Their revenue rises continued to lag behind the discount duo of Aldi and Lidl, both of which increased sales by 16.8%.

Online rival Ocado was the fastest-growing non-discounter, posting an 8.4% sales spike.

Sales at Iceland and Waitrose advanced 2.9% and 2.3% respectively, while revenues at the Co-op edged down 0.2% as its year-on-year numbers continued to be impacted by the sale of 298 stores to McColl’s.

Kantar said Brits spent £1bn more on groceries than they did during the same period a year ago, and the average household spent £1,054 at food retailers during the 12 weeks.

The Kantar data said food price inflation of 3.7% contributed to the uptick.

Nielsen data

Rival data from Nielsen also anointed Tesco as the winner of the festive big four battle, with a 3.4% increase in sales during the 12 weeks to December 30.

Asda was its closest competitor in the leading supermarket groups, as the Walmart-owned grocer posted a 2.1% uplift in revenues.

Morrisons and Sainsbury’s registered 1.7% and 1.2% increases respectively.

Lidl emerged as the fastest-growing grocer, according to Nielsen’s figures, after enjoying a 15.7% surge in sales across the 12-week period.

Discount rival Aldi recorded 12.8% growth.

Nielsen’s data highlighted Iceland as the fastest-growing non-discounter, as the frozen food specialist recorded a 3.9% spike in sales.

Upmarket rivals Marks & Spencer and Waitrose grew revenues at 3.6% and 1.1% respectively, while convenience specialist the Co-op’s sales were broadly flat, edging up 0.2%.

Nielsen’s UK head of retailer insight Mike Watkins said: “The supermarkets did well this Christmas, particularly amid fierce price competition and shoppers starting to feel the squeeze on disposable incomes. It was in stark contrast to many high street retailers who saw less footfall and sales declines.

“The timing of Christmas day certainly helped as it was conducive to last-minute indulgences and fresh foods; however, some supermarkets used private-label and branded promotions, such as money-off vouchers, to drive Christmas footfall.”