Mubasher: UK supermarkets posted record sales of GBP 29.3 billion ($37.4 billion) over the 12 weeks to 30 December 2018, according to data released by consultancy Kantar.

British grocery sales went up 1.6%, held back by lower inflation, although shoppers continued to opt for premium ranges, the market research firm said.  

“Unlike its high street counterpart, the grocery market has been less affected by the move to online. Although e-commerce is growing--up 3.9% compared to this time last year--online grocery shopping is failing to attract new customers,” Kantar’s Fraser McKevitt said.

Walmart Inc.’s Asda topped the fastest growing grocers with a 0.7% rise in sales, while Sainsbury’s was the weakest with a 0.4% decline.

Discounters Aldi and Lidl had a record combined Christmas market share of 12.8%.