In the 12 weeks to December 31, like-for-likes were up 5.2 per cent excluding petrol, or 4.8 per cent including fuel. It was the fourth consecutive quarter of sales growth for the supermarket.
Sainsbury's secured a record number of customers in the Christmas week, with more than 19 million transactions. Online sales were up 27.5 per cent over the quarter.
Declaring Christmas a success, chief executive Justin King said: 'We prepared for Christmas well, developed outstanding seasonal products, strengthened promotional activity and worked hard to deliver great availability.' Grocery prices were down 1 per cent over the period.
During the quarter, Sainsbury's opened, extended or refurbished 25 convenience stores and 26 supermarkets, including nine former Safeway stores bought from Morrisons. Sainsbury's said that the 13 stores acquired from Morrisons, which are now in their second year of trading, were delivering sales growth of more than 20 per cent.
No comments yet