Group like-for-like sales were up 8.6% excluding fuel and VAT, while total revenues inched up 0.4% to  £17.6bn in the 52 weeks to January 31.

These results were boosted by online, where sales tripled during the year, as online capacity increased fivefold.

However, Morrisons posted a 51% decline in profits before tax and exceptionals of £201m, including £290m in “direct Covid-19 costs to help feed the nation through the crisis”.