Grocery chain Somerfield performed well over the Christmas period, with like-for-likes excluding fuel jumping 3.7 per cent in the 3 weeks to January 3.

Somerfield said its smaller stores - those less than 5,000 sq ft – were up 10 per cent on a like-for-like basis over Christmas, and up 20 per cent over two years.

Chief executive Paul Mason said: “These figures clearly demonstrate the turnaround that has been achieved at Somerfield – and provides an excellent platform going forward for the combined Somerfield and Co-operative Group businesses.”

The retailer is expected to conclude its£1.57 billion deal with Co-op by next month.

Somerfield’s EBITDA increased 5.4 per cent to£226m for the year ending April 26. Like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, climbed 2.5 per cent.

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