Resurgent supermarket Waitrose was the sector's star performer over the Christmas period, according to research today.

The chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, beat its four main rivals over the festive season with a 14 per cent sales hike in the four weeks to December 26, market research company Nielsen said.

Its till roll figures suggest Waitrose left market leader Tesco trailing behind in fifth place, with a 7.4 per cent sales rise in the same four weeks.

Sainsbury's, which will give its own assessment of Christmas trading in third quarter results due out today, ranked fourth with 7.7 per cent sales growth.

Nielsen said Morrisons was a close second behind Waitrose, with 11.8 per cent growth, followed by Asda with an 8.6 per cent hike.

This year's Christmas selling season was strong across the entire sector, with today's figures revealing 6.7 per cent growth in the four week period against last year, rising to 8 per cent in the last fortnight.

Mike Watkins, senior manager of retailer services at Nielsen, said: ''We had a slow start to the season and from the figures it looks like consumers held back until the final fortnight where we saw some exceptional growths.''

The data also gave evidence of an improved underlying demand, with sales growth by value over the full 12 weeks to Boxing Day at 4.8 per cent.

Waitrose's bumper Christmas came as a further sign that efforts to boost business are paying off.

It has broadened its appeal by introducing a cut price Essentials range to attract cost-conscious shoppers, while the group is also being buoyed by a growing desire to ''trade-up'' and splash out on food treats.