UK grocery retailer Morrisons has recorded a strong set of results for the first quarter of 2009, with sales in the 13 weeks to 3 May, excluding fuel, rising by 8.2 per cent compared with the same period a year before.

In a statement, the supermarket operator said that customer numbers had also increased, with growth “well ahead of the market”.

The period was marked by continued investment by Morrisons in price cuts and value ranges, with over 5,000 price promotions and 8,000 price cuts featuring as part of the retailer’s “Price Crunch’ campaign.

The company’s own-brand ‘Value’ range was further extended during the quarter and market share gains from premium food retailers saw ‘The Best’ range achieve good sales performance, Morrisons said.

The group has opened two new stores so far this financial year, and, in addition to the normal programme of openings and store extensions, 2009 will see the integration of the 38 Co-operative and Somerfield stores that were acquired last year.

Morrisons chief executive Marc Bolland said the retailer’s “broadening customer appeal” had resulted in it receiving 1m extra customers to its stores during the first quarter of 2009.

“This is a particularly good result which is on top of the similar level of growth we reported in last year’s Q1 update,” he said.

“With shoppers increasingly attracted by our outstanding fresh food and our great value, we are taking the next step from national to nationwide.”

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