Tesco said that like-for-like group sales increased by 2% to £13.6 billion over the 13 weeks to March 28, compared with the same period last year. Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy (Ben Stevens/Parsons Media/PA) The retailer said this represented a 9.9% increase against pre-pandemic levels from 2019. However, the firm's UK operation said like-for-like sales dropped by 1.5% against the same period a year ago. Tesco added that it has grown its market share against key grocery rivals after driving investment into value-focused promotional campaigns, such as its Aldi Price Match programme. Mr Murphy said: "Whilst the market environment remains incredibly challenging, our laser focus on value, as well as the daily dedication and hard work of our colleagues, has helped us to outperform the market. "Although difficult to separate from the significant impact of lapping last year's lockdowns, we are seeing some early indications of changing customer behaviour as a result of the inflationary environment.