Morrisons recorded total sales up 5.3% including fuel in the 14 weeks to May 9, as it outperformed against the volatile trading of the early stages of the pandemic last year.

Group like for likes excluding fuel inched up 2.7%, while including fuel the same figure was up 4.7%, indicating a return to normality as fuel sales almost hit pre-pandemic levels.

The grocer said it did especially well in sales of holiday products for Easter and Mother’s Day, while food-to-go items including its £3 meal deals were also popular.