Britain’s biggest supermarket chain Tesco (TSCO.L) said sales had declined less than expected in its first quarter, suggesting a tentative recovery in its key home market could be starting to move onto a stronger footing. Tesco, which endured a horrendous 18 months marred by profit warnings, a record statutory loss and an accounting scandal, said on Friday sales at British stores open for more than a year fell 1.3 percent over the 13 weeks to May 30, compared with forecasts of a decline of between 1.6 percent and 3 percent by analysts polled by Reuters.