TESCO has achieved its highest market share for more than a decade after festive sales rose despite “intense” competition.
The group increased its share of the UK grocery market to 28.7 per cent in the three months to December 28.
And it jumped even higher, to 29.4 per cent, in the key Christmas month, according to Worldpanel data.
The boost came as the country’s biggest supermarket reported a 3.3 per cent rise in UK and Ireland like-for-like sales over the six weeks to January 3.
Tesco said it was now on track for annual profits at the upper end of its recently-upgraded guidance for between £2.9billion and £3.1billion.
Boss Ken Murphy said: “Our investments in value, quality and service drove further gains in customer satisfaction.
“And strong growth in fresh food contributed to our highest UK market share in over a decade.”
But he added: “Competition is as intense as ever and we know value remains a priority for customers.”
Sales over the third quarter before the Christmas period — the 13 weeks to November 22 — lifted four per cent.
But shares fell six per cent in trading yesterday as festive sales growth still fell short of market expectations.
It saw a slight slowdown on last year’s 3.7 per cent.
Tesco’s Booker wholesale business also saw sales fall 2.1 per cent in the six-week Christmas period, worsening from a 0.9 per cent drop in the third quarter.
X-M&S CHEER
MARKS & SPENCER had a record number of Christmas shoppers — with food sales up 5.6 per cent in the 13 weeks to December 27.
But fashion, home and beauty all fell 2.9 per cent.
Last year’s cyber attack, which forced a six-week halt to online sales, is expected to knock £136million off annual profits.
Boss Stuart Machin said fashion is “getting back on track” and vowed to reshape M&S for growth, with store revamps and cost cutting.
SLIM PICKINGS
GREGGS boss Roisin Currie says there is “no doubt” weight‑loss jabs are affecting trade, as customers ask for more protein, fibre and clearer nutrition.
The firm reported that total sales jumped by 7.4 per cent over the three months to December 27, despite a challenging market.
But Greggs’ like-for-like sales for the full year increased by 2.4 per cent — less than half the growth for 2024.
IT’S A PRI-MARKDOWN
PRIMARK’S owner saw shares tumble by 12 per cent yesterday, as it warned profits will be lower than last year’s following disappointing festive trading.
The retailer’s like-for-like sales rose just 1.7 per cent in the UK in the 16 weeks to January 3 , and decreased by 5.7 per cent across continental Europe.
Markdowns to clear stock then hit its margins.
Parent ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS said Primark’s first-half 2026 growth will now be in the low single digits.
It comes as a separate stock market listing for Primark is being considered.
