Tesco said like-for-like sales grew 4.8 per cent in its key British market over Christmas.
The figures are better than its closest rivals, all of whom are involved in a takeover struggle to create a new force in food retailing to challenge Tesco's supremacy.
International sales were up 24.9 per cent, in line with Tesco's forecasts. Tesco operates 152 so-called hypermarkets outside Britain.
A Tesco spokeswoman said the international operations were on target to generate earnings before interest and tax of £140 million to £160 million in the current financial year.