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| Tesco's sales fall in 'challenging' market | Tesco's sales fall in 'challenging' market |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Sales at the UK's biggest supermarket, Tesco, fell slightly in the months that include the crucial Christmas period. | Sales at the UK's biggest supermarket, Tesco, fell slightly in the months that include the crucial Christmas period. |
| But stronger takings in the weeks just before the festive period, which included its biggest day to date for food sales, helped bolster performance. | But stronger takings in the weeks just before the festive period, which included its biggest day to date for food sales, helped bolster performance. |
| It was the final Christmas under the leadership of Tesco's boss Dave Lewis, who said the chain had "performed well" in a "subdued" UK market. | It was the final Christmas under the leadership of Tesco's boss Dave Lewis, who said the chain had "performed well" in a "subdued" UK market. |
| However, Tesco said the UK market had "clearly been challenging". | However, Tesco said the UK market had "clearly been challenging". |
| Mr Lewis said customers were cautious about how they spent their money at Christmas, but the supermarket claimed "strong" promotions appealed to shoppers. | Mr Lewis said customers were cautious about how they spent their money at Christmas, but the supermarket claimed "strong" promotions appealed to shoppers. |
| That helped the firm increase sales by 0.1% in the six-week festive period. | That helped the firm increase sales by 0.1% in the six-week festive period. |
| However, that was not enough to reverse a decline in UK sales in the 19 weeks to 4 January. | However, that was not enough to reverse a decline in UK sales in the 19 weeks to 4 January. |
| During that period, like-for-like sales, which exclude new store openings, fell by 0.2%. | During that period, like-for-like sales, which exclude new store openings, fell by 0.2%. |
| Julie Palmer from consultancy Begbies Traynor said Mr Lewis would feel that he was leaving the company on "solid foundations". | Julie Palmer from consultancy Begbies Traynor said Mr Lewis would feel that he was leaving the company on "solid foundations". |
| "Despite the slump in sales for some of the UK's 'big four' supermarkets, Tesco has managed to remain robust during this precarious period," she said. | "Despite the slump in sales for some of the UK's 'big four' supermarkets, Tesco has managed to remain robust during this precarious period," she said. |
| In contrast, rival Marks & Spencer reported a rise in sales for the first time since 2017 in the the 13 weeks to 28 December. | In contrast, rival Marks & Spencer reported a rise in sales for the first time since 2017 in the the 13 weeks to 28 December. |
| M&S said its food departments had a "standout" run in the two weeks leading up to Christmas, with like-for-like sales up 1.4%. | M&S said its food departments had a "standout" run in the two weeks leading up to Christmas, with like-for-like sales up 1.4%. |
| However, clothing and home sales were worse than expected, dropping 1.7% in the same period. | However, clothing and home sales were worse than expected, dropping 1.7% in the same period. |
| The chain's boss Steve Rowe also described the market as "challenging". | The chain's boss Steve Rowe also described the market as "challenging". |
| On Monday, market research firm Kantar said supermarket sales growth over Christmas was the slowest in five years. | On Monday, market research firm Kantar said supermarket sales growth over Christmas was the slowest in five years. |
| "There was no sign of the post-election rush many had hoped for in the final weeks before Christmas, with shoppers carefully watching their budgets," said Kantar's Fraser McKevitt. | "There was no sign of the post-election rush many had hoped for in the final weeks before Christmas, with shoppers carefully watching their budgets," said Kantar's Fraser McKevitt. |