Tesco reports sharp slowdown in underlying sales growth

Supermarket blames political uncertainty and volatile weather for drop in consumer spendingTesco has reported a sharp slowdown in underlying sales growth, as political uncertainty and volatile weather held back consumer spending.Like-for-like sales at Britain’s biggest supermarket chain rose 0.4% year-on-year in its first quarter ended 25 May, down from 1.7% in the previous three months. Total sales fell 0.4%, hit by the firm’s decision to close its non-food arm Tesco Direct last Jul