Tesco has reported a slight improvement in its UK like-for-like sales performance for the three months to the end of May this year.

Sales were down by 1.3% compared with a fall of 4% for the same time last year.

Group sales for the 13 weeks to 30 May 2015 declined by (0.5)% at constant rates, excluding fuel. At actual rates, sales declined by (1.0)% excluding fuel.

Chief executive Dave Lewis said: “We set out to serve our customers a little better every day and the improvements we are making are starting to have an effect. We are fixing the fundamentals of shopping to win back customers and relying less on short-term couponing.

“Whilst the market is still challenging and volatility is likely to remain a feature of short-term performance, these first quarter results represent another step in the right direction.”