Value grocer Lidl has reported record Christmas trading and said its seasonal performance was the best in food retail.

Lidl’s sales climbed 17.9% year on year in the four weeks to December 27, which it said meant it was ”the fastest-growing retailer versus the big four supermarkets and main competitors”.

The grocer said popular Christmas products such as mince pies drove customer spend, helping its basket size increase 24.8% year on year.  Lidl said shoppers switched £34.7m of spend from other supermarkets to it and the Lidl Plus rewards app had also attracted customers.

Lidl GB chief executive Christian Härtnagel said: ”Despite this Christmas being a difficult time for many across the country, we are pleased to have been able to help our customers enjoy themselves by offering high-quality food at the lowest prices on the market. Our record sales and significant basket size growth just demonstrate the strength of the Lidl appeal.

”As we look ahead to this year, we remain committed to our expansion and investment plans, offering more customers up and down the country our great quality, unbeatable value offer.” 

Lidl opened four new stores in December. The grocer is investing £1.3bn over the next two years as it chases a target of 1,000 branches by 2023.