Separately, Tesco announced that Alison Platt and Simon Patterson will join the Board as additional independent non-executive directors, with effect from April 1.
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The firm said sales at United Kingdom stores open over a year rose 1.3pc in the six weeks to January 9.
Jefferies had penciled in a sales fall of between 1% and 0.5% over Christmas, while analysts at Bernstein had forecast a 1% fall in sales.
‘There is plenty more to do, but we are making good progress and are trading in line with profit expectations for the full year’.
Analysts had forecast like-for-like sales down 2-3pc for the third quarter.
(TSCO.L, TSCDY) were gaining around 6 percent in the early morning trade in London, after the British supermarket chain reported Thursday strong like-for-like sales growth in the six-week Christmas period.
Tesco shares leapt as much as 7% higher after its better-than-expected festive trading, with retail experts praising further signs that the turnaround being led by Mr Lewis is working.
Tesco’s share price hit an 18-year low last month as investors fretted over the pace of progress under Lewis but they had edged up in recent days as industry data suggested it may have enjoyed a stronger Christmas period.
Tesco’s legacy “Price Promise” promotion was replaced in October by the “Brand Guarantee” scheme, which means customers are refunded with cash straight from the till if their basket of goods would have cost cheaper elsewhere.
This contributed to a modest 0.4% increased in sales during the 19 weeks to January 9th, worldwide sales increased by 4.1%. Our customer service improved materially and our colleagues went the extra mile.
“Tesco remains the most traded retail stock for our customers, with volume continuing to increase in 2016 and sentiment overwhelmingly being positive (66% Buys) highlighting confidence in a positive announcement tomorrow”.
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Tesco also reported sales for the third quarter ended November 28.
