Asda was the only major UK supermarket to report a sales decline ahead of the crucial Christmas period. Data shared by NIQ showed the retailer's market share fell 1,1 percentage points to 12,1% as sales fell 4,2% in the 12 weeks to November 30.
Ocado remained the fastest growing retailer in the UK with sales up 16,2%, pushing its market share up 0,2 percentage points to 1,8%.
M&S also entered this busy period with a peak, after sales rose by 10,6%. Its market share rose by 0,2 percentage points to 3,7%.
Waitrose's market share, however, faltered after sales grew 1,9% in the 12 weeks.
Supermarket sales will top £13bn for the first time in the four weeks to December, according to Kantar, driven by a surge in demand for premium Christmas ranges, particularly private label, whose share of spend has risen to 5% and is expected to reach almost 7% by the end of December.
