Bradford-based supermarket group Morrisons has continued to increase sales more than its rivals – one of the key reasons why its boss Marc Bolland has been poached to run Marks & Spencer.

The day after Mr Bolland was named as the next head of Marks & Spencer, Morrisons unveiled that total sales had grown by 9.1 per cent in the 13 weeks to November 1.

It also revealed that the average number of shoppers using its stores every week is now nearly 11 million, a rise of more than 1.6 million in the past two years.

Morrisons announced that like-for-like sales, excluding fuel and VAT, were up 4.3 per cent.

This compared to 7.8 per cent growth in the first half year, and Morrisons had already warned that easing food inflation would result in a slowdown in sales growth .

Sales growth was helped by the contribution from 37 stores opened so far this year as the firm consolidates stores bought from the Co-operative group following its takeover of Somerfield.

Recent industry data from research group TNS Worldpanel suggested Morrisons grew faster than other businesses in the industry in the quarter.

The supermarket’s 8.5 per cent till roll growth in the period compared to a 4.7 per cent increase for Tesco and 6.6 per cent for Asda.

In terms of market share, Morrisons was in fourth place with 11.7 per cent, compared to Tesco’s 30.7 per cent, Asda at 17.3 per cent and Sainsbury at 15.9 per cent.

Commenting on the results, Mr Bolland said: “Morrisons continues to grow ahead of the market, driven by our award-winning combination of outstanding quality, fresh food and great value.

“I am pleased that more and more customers are attracted to Morrisons as we continue our journey from national to nationwide.”

Group finance director Richard Pennycook, who is considered by many commentators as the strongest internal candidate to succeed Mr Bolland, said he was still deciding whether to throw his hat into the ring.

He said the announcement that chief executive Marc Bolland was to leave for rival Marks & Spencer was “very new news” for Morrisons.

Mr Pennycook said Mr Bolland’s tenure had been a productive one for the company.

He said: “We think we have had a pretty good run and there’s more to come.

“He has been a great member of the team and we are sorry to see him go. But it is a team here and we won’t miss a beat over Christmas.”

Mr Bolland, a 50-year-old Dutchman, has been credited with reviving Morrisons since he joined the business in September, 2006, following the troubled take-over of Safeway. .

He succeeded Sir Ken Morrison, who retired as chairman last year after a 55-year career at the firm which was started by his father William in 1899 as a market stall.

Morrisons has been a star performer in the supermarket sector throughout the recession as its value-for-money offer attracted hard-up consumers.

l Architects who designed the country’s first ‘green’ supermarket for Bradford-based Morrisons have won a top industry award.

Skipton-based Bowman Riley Architects was named Architects Practice of the Year at the Yorkshire Insider Property Industry Awards.

Bowman Riley has also been listed in the Building Magazine good employers guide of the construction industry’s top- 50 employers.