Tesco has announced its best domestic holiday sales in three years, as Britain's biggest retailer remained the top supermarket destination over the Christmas period.

UK like-for-like sales in the 6 weeks ending on 5 January - not including petrol - grew by 1.8 per cent Overall group sales for the period, excluding petrol, rose by 3.9 per cent well ahead of analysts' estimates and better than its rival J Sainsbury, who announced record sales figures yesterday. The grocery chain has also announced Chris Bush as the new manager director for UK operations.

Not all retailers have had a good Christmas trading period. Marks & Spencer, Britain's biggest clothing retailer, posted a sixth consecutive slump in quarterly sales yesterday, after like-for-like sales fell 1.8 percent overall, with a steep 3.8 percent in the group's general merchandise unit.

Food sales continued to support the group's top line, with more than £330m - a company record - sold over the Christmas fortnight.

Morrisons had previously announced disappointing 2.5 per cent fall in sales in the six week up to 30 December, whilst Iceland recorded a 5 per cent Christmas sales boost in November and December.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner