Tesco has reported that sales climbed during a ‘strong’ first quarter

Tesco’s core UK business was the strongest performer over the period, growing “ahead of all key competitors” and increasing by volume.

Like-for-like sales at Tesco’s UK division advanced 4.6% to £11.37bn in the period to May 25. At group level, retail like-for-likes rose 3.4% to £15.3bn.

Tesco said its UK market share advanced 52bps to 27.6%, “supported by 15 consecutive periods of positive switching gains”.

Food sales rose by 5%, “including strong volume growth across the quarter, particularly in fresh food”.

Non-food sales inched up by 0.7%, “driven by strong growth in clothing”.

Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy said: “We’ve continued to build momentum in the business, with strong volume growth across the UK, Republic of Ireland and central Europe supported by easing inflation.

“We continue to be the cheapest full-line grocer and are the most competitive we’ve ever been, with our value, product quality and service driving better brand perception and customer satisfaction.

“Our market share reflects this, growing more than at any other time in the past two years, with customers switching to us from other retailers, shopping with us more often and with more in their baskets.”

Tesco reiterated its guidance for the full year. It said sales trends were “in line with our expectations”.