Strong Asian sales and an improved performance in UK helped retail major Tesco post a 3.8% growth in like-for-like sales for the five-week holiday season ended 5 January 2013, when compared to the corresponding period of 2012.
Like-for-like sales in UK grew 1.8% for the period as the six-point improvement plan to 'Build a Better Tesco' is beginning to deliver results.
UK sales were fueled by a rebound in food sales, especially online food retail which grew 18% over 2011 figures.
Commenting on the encouraging figures Tesco CEO Philip Clarke remarked that the sales over the holiday season were consistent with expectations, with performance improving in UK and staying constant elsewhere.
"This performance was driven by a further improvement in our food business in-store and a strong contribution from online, which included our biggest ever week for internet sales, a successful first Christmas for Grocery Click & Collect and a better performance for Tesco Direct, our online general merchandise business," noted Clarke.
Overall international sales grew 3.4 at constant currency rates with Asian markets returning a 7.6% increase in total sales.
US subsidiary, Fresh & Easy, posted a 4.1% while overall sales in Europe were down 0.6%.
