Sainsbury, Britain's third-largest grocer, said sales growth slowed in the first quarter of the financial year as a soggy start to the summer led to fewer barbecues over the bank holidays.

Revenue at stores open at least a year rose 1.4 per cent in the 12 weeks to June 9th, excluding gasoline sales, the London-based retailer said.

Britain had the wettest April since at least 1910, and some forecasters predict that rainfall in June may eclipse 2007's record, weighing on sales of food and drinks for outdoor events over the five bank holidays in the quarter.

Sainsbury's sales growth was counter to a decline reported this week by market leader Tesco as Britons held parties to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.

Tesco's reporting period ended before the four-day jubilee holiday.

"We have delivered good sales growth in the quarter, in line with our expectations, helping our customers to manage both their weekly budgets, and to celebrate special occasions," Sainsbury chief executive officer Justin King said in the statement. "Looking forward we expect the market to remain competitive."

Sainsbury rose 0.8 per cent to 291.1 pence in London trading yesterday.

The stock has fallen 3.9 per cent this year.

Sainsbury's share of UK grocery spending held steady at 16.5 per cent in the 12 weeks ended May 13th, compared with the same period a year earlier, Kantar Worldpanel said last month.

Bloomberg