Tesco Christmas sales beat expectations

12th Jan 2010 07:03

Supermarket giant Tesco said it enjoyed its best Christmas in three years as shoppers braved the winter weather to stock up on festive treats.In the six weeks to January 9, the firm posted a 5.1% year-on-year rise in like-for-like sales excluding petrol and VAT at its UK business, ahead of expectations. Champagne sales rose by 35% with the 'Finest' range also performing well, Tesco said. Customers also took advantage of offers and double Clubcard points. Clubcard vouchers contributed 0.7% to UK like-for-like sales growth.Sales of non-food items continued to strengthen, Tesco said, driven by particularly good growth in clothes, electrical items and toys. Online sales growth approached 20% during the six week period.Total sales were up by 8.3% or 8% excluding petrol.'It was a great Christmas for Tesco customers with an excellent seasonal range in store and online,' said chief executive Terry Leahy. 'The Tesco team delivered a great shopping trip for customers and I'd like to thank all our staff and also our suppliers for their tremendous efforts, particularly during the freezing weather.'Internationally, Tesco saw sales growth of 0.8% at constant exchange rates in Europe and of 7.8% in Asia. The California-based Fresh & Easy chain saw sales growth of35% and 'strongly positive' like-for-like sales growth.