Like-for-likes up 5.6 per cent
The UK's biggest retailer, Tesco, continued to perform well in the run-up to Christmas. The grocer reported strong growth in its third quarter, despite a sluggish market.

Group sales, excluding petrol, increased 10.3 per cent in the 13 weeks to November 25 and 9.6 per cent including petrol. Strong deflation in petrol prices reduced the headline sales growth rate.

Excluding petrol, UK like-for-likes rose 5.6 per cent and total sales rose 8.5 per cent. Including petrol, turnover was up 7.4 per cent and like-for-likes rose 4.4 per cent.

Tesco opened seven stores last week, including a flagship eco-friendly store in Wick, North Scotland, which is expected to have a 50 per cent smaller carbon footprint than comparable stores.

Non-food sales continued to generate double-digit growth and the successful launch of Tesco Direct strengthened an 'already good' performance for Tesco.com.

International sales increased 17.9 per cent at constant exchange rates and by 17.5 per cent at actual rates.

The retailer said: 'We plan to open more than 300 stores with a total of more than 4.5 million sq ft (418,050 sq m) of sales area in international during the second half of this year, representing our largest ever opening programme overseas.'

Topics