Lidl had its most successful Christmas trading period on record, the supermarket chain said, with party food sales up by a third.
Revenues rose by almost 7% to more than £1bn over the four weeks leading up to Christmas as consumers bought 16 million pig blankets and a turkey every second.
Sales were also helped by an increase in the number of its stores this year, although there are signs that growth may be slowing.
Meanwhile, the chain has joined many of its competitors in the debate. Tax hikes announced in the Budget could lead to job cuts and higher prices for consumers..
The supermarket chain’s Christmas sales figures were helped by its highest-ever customers for the period, with another two million purchases made as it tries to match rivals’ market share.
The firm said it had the biggest increase in customer visits of any supermarket last year.
Consumers also apparently opted for the German discount chain when trying to save money on alcoholic drinks, as sales of champagne rose by a quarter.
Its UK boss Ryan McDonnell said he was “thrilled” by the growing number of buyers.
Nevertheless, the key Christmas trading period in 2024 sees sales growth of 7%, down from 12% achieved a year ago.
Lidl increased its total number of supermarkets in the UK to more than 970 last year – meaning the sales figures are not “like for like” comparisons.
However, in December, Kantor’s industry analysts reported that Lidl was the fastest-growing brick-and-mortar grocer last quarter. Because it positions Morrisons as the UK’s fifth largest supermarket group.
Looking ahead, Mr McDonnell said the firm was “excited to build” on this momentum.
He previously told the BBC that while tax increases and changes to employment rights “will put a lot of pressure on business together”, these factors will not deter retailers from investing in the UK.
A Treasury spokesman said in response to a November open letter – signed by Lidl, Tesco, Amazon, Greggs, Next and dozens of other chains – that it had to make “tough choices to fix the country’s foundations”. “. The GMB union said retailers were “begging for poverty”.