Sales at Sainsbury’s have risen by almost 10 per cent in the first quarter as customers purchased more during bank holidays and the weather improved.

In the 16 weeks to 24 June, sales of groceries grew by 11 per cent, with Sainsbury’s attributing this to the introduction of Nectar prices, making its value range more visible and cutting the cost of food in line with inflation.

Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s announced that it was cutting the prices on over 40 own brand products to help its customers with the cost of living.

Elsewhere in the business, general merchandise sales rose by four per cent, which included an increase of around five per cent from Argos.

However, during the period clothing sales dropped by almost four per cent.

"We are putting all of our energy and focus into battling inflation so that customers get the very best prices when they shop with us, particularly now as household budgets are under more pressure than ever,” said Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s. “Food inflation is starting to fall and we are fully committed to passing on savings to our customers.”

He added: “Since March, we have invested over £60 million in lowering prices, leading on price cuts across more than 120 essentials like bread, butter, milk, pasta, chicken and toilet roll. Prices on our top 100 selling products are now lower than they were in March, against a market where prices have gone up.”

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