Shoppers are returning to mainstream retailers as their love affair with the discounters draws to an end, new figures show.

Figures from TNS show the multiples notched up average growth of 5.5% in the 12 weeks to 6 September, while Nielsen put growth at 4.5%. That included a boost from the late August bank holiday weekend, when sales rose 7.9% year-on-year in the week to 29 August.

Both sets of figures put growth at Waitrose at around 11%. In further evidence if slowing growth at discounters, TNS said Lidl managed growth of 5.2% and Aldi 8% – a third of its rate this time last year.

TNS Worldpanel director Ed Garner said the data confirmed that the “recession panic” was dissipating in the food sector as shoppers returned to trusted brands.