UK supermarket operator Morrisons has reported a “good performance” for the third quarter of 2009, with the retailer claiming that record numbers of customers visited its stores during the period.

In the 13 weeks to 1 November, like-for-like sales at the retailer increased by 4.3 per cent, which Morrisons said reflected growth that was “well ahead of the market”, as well as the contribution from the 37 stores opened so far this year.

In a statement, the company said that commodity prices had continued to ease through the quarter, resulting in lower retail price inflation and market growth.

Morrisons claimed that it had received a “record 10.8m customers on average through its doors each week during the period, up by over 1.6m” since it launched its 'Food Specialist for Everyone' strategy two years ago.

The retailer said that its new regional distribution centre at Sittingbourne, Kent opened ahead of schedule in the quarter to support the additional volumes going through the business as a result of its store opening programme.

“Performance in the third quarter has been good and we have confidence in the strength of our unique proposition – our expectations for the current year remain unchanged,” it said in the statement.

The results came a day after Morrisons chief executive Marc Bolland announced his departure from the business to become chief executive at Marks & Spencer.

Morrisons’ finance director, Richard Pennycook, has already been linked by the media with the soon-to-be vacant post, although an official replacement has yet to announced.

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