LONDON (Reuters) – J Sainsbury and upmarket rival Waitrose are leading growth in Britain's grocery market, which is being supported by rising food prices, market researchers Kantar Worldpanel said yesterday.

Growth at long-time leader Wm Morrison is fading as it annualises a flurry of store openings, while Britain's biggest retailer, Tesco, is holding its ground and number two Asda is continuing its recent underperformance, the data showed.

Kantar said British grocery sales rose 4.1 percent in the 12 weeks to October 3, boosted by a three percent increase in food prices.