Ocado has retained its title as the fastest growing retailer over the last 12 weeks, with sales up 16.2%, while M&S and Tesco gain momentum ahead of Christmas.

According to the latest data from NIQ over the period, discounter Lidl’s sales increase by 11.6%, with M&S just behind, up 10.6%, followed by Tesco with “healthy” sales growth of 5.1%.

Total till sales growth steadied at UK supermarkets at 3.7% in the four weeks to 30 November 2024 – down from 4% in the previous month.

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NIQ said the slowdown in growth is likely due to “milder weather, Black Friday distraction and shoppers holding out until early December for the big Christmas shop”.

Over the last four weeks there was, however, a boost to visits to stores, up 5.7%, and ahead of online shopping occasions, up 0.6%. As a result, online share of FMCG was up 13.1% compared to a rise of 13.4% last year.

NIQ now predicts that grocery spend will hit £10bn in the two weeks leading up to 21 December, with the latter week being “the biggest single week with £6bn being spent on the grocery multiples,” according to NIQ UK head of retailer and business insight Mike Watkins.

He said: “Food retailers can prepare for this late rush starting next week as shoppers will be looking for fresh food, centre pieces for the dinner table and last-minute gifts, including a trade up to premium items”.

It comes as Tesco has achieved its highest market share since December 2017 and now holds 28.1% market share, according to the latest data from Kantar.