Total sales climbed 8.4 per cent in the 16 weeks to October 4, when like-for-likes advanced 4.3 per cent excluding fuel. The performance brings the fist half like-for-like increase to 3.9 per cent.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King said the performance was testament to the “strength and broad appeal” of the retailer’s brand in a tough trading environment.
He said: “During the quarter we continued to develop our offer to help customers manage tighter budgets without the need to sacrifice food quality. Customers have responded well and transaction numbers continue to grow.” The grocer’s Basics range has been expanded to 550 products as consumers increasingly turn to own-brand lines.
King said non-food ranges “continue to drive strong sales growth” and there are now nine flagship non-food stores.
Online sales rose by 25 per cent in the quarter.
King expects trading environment to remain challenging but said: “We have developed the Sainsbury’s offer to perform in these conditions."
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