UK grocery retailer Morrisons has announced healthy trading results for the Christmas and New Year period, with like-for-like sales in the six weeks to 4 January 2009 up by 8.2 per cent.

The supermarket group said that a focus on fresh food, as well as the maintenance of its competitive offer through pricing deals and promotional offers, had helped to drive customers into its 382 stores during the six-week period.

In a statement, Morrisons’ chief executive, Marc Bolland, said: “I am pleased with Morrisons excellent Christmas trading, having attracted 2.2m extra customers with great fresh foods and industry leading value.”

The results confirmed Morrisons as the best performing UK grocery retailer over the festive period. In comparison, sector leader Tesco only recorded a 2.5 per cent rise in like-for-like sales, while Asda and Sainsbury’s recorded increases of 7 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively.

Morrisons said that it was still awaiting certain approvals to complete the acquisition of 38 stores from the Co-operative Group, with the conversion of outlets set to take place on a phased basis during the first quarter of 2009.

However, in spite of the positive results, the retailer said it remained cautious on the outlook for consumer spending and expected the market to remain challenging.