Tesco once again trounced Sainsbury's over the crucial Christmas trading period.
Tesco's UK sales rose by 15.4 per cent, while like-for-like sales were 7.5 per cent ahead for the seven weeks to January 3. Its growing strength in non-food was underlined by a 29.4 per cent hike in home entertainment sales.
Sainsbury's like-for-like sales for the four weeks to January 3 were up only 2 per cent. Its sales over the third quarter were even bleaker, with like-for-likes up only 0.1 per cent and total sales up 1.8 per cent.
Sainsbury's chief executive Sir Peter Davis put the figures down to the company's business transformation programme, which has disrupted performance.
Morrisons also celebrated Christmas success, delivering a total sales rise of 16 per cent for the six weeks to January 4. Like-for-likes rose by 10.2 per cent. Morrisons was strong in home and leisure - like-for-like sales climbed 15.8 per cent - but joint managing director Bob Stott said there were no plans to extend further into non-food.
Charles Stanley retail analyst Simon Proctor said: 'Of all the (statements from) supermarkets, Tesco is the one that is the most impressive. It shows the big growth they are getting from non-food at the expense of the likes of WHSmith.'
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