In the 12 weeks to September 5, grocery inflation was 2.7%, while the grocery market grew 4.3%, claimed Kantar, which posted its latest supermarket market share figures yesterday.

"Despite the recent media scare around soaring food prices, Kantar Worldpanel still expects grocery price inflation to be held to around 4% by the year-end.

"This increase [in inflation] is caused by a comparison with falling prices a year ago rather than sharp commodity price increases which have featured in recent news items."

The strongest growth over the 12-week period came from Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. Tesco remained on an even keel while Asda "continued to underperform", it added.

Kantar communications director Ed Garner said the figures highlighted that shoppers were still interested in premium products, freshness and quality as well as value.

“Recent statements from Asda’s chief executive Andy Clarke show that the retailer has recognised the need to adjust its strategy and we’ve started to see a greater emphasis on quality in the latest advertising campaign.”

Nielsen, which also released some figures on the grocery sector yesterday, said grocery sales grew 3.9% in the four weeks to September 4, but noted that volumes had grown just 0.5%, despite an increase in promotional activity.