Major UK-based grocery retailer Sainbury’s has recorded alike-for-like sales rise of 4.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2009, withweekly transactions now exceeding 18.5m – an estimated 800,000 more than duringthe same period of last year.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King said that during thequarter, in the 16 weeks to 3 October 2009, the retailer’s brand had continuedto perform well despite the “challenging consumer environment”.
He said: “We have continued to develop our offer, providingcustomers with both the quality they expect from Sainsbury’s and prices theyincreasingly recognise provide outstanding value for money. Our strong momentumhas also continued with record levels of product availability and customerservice.
Mr King said Sainsbury’s online food home delivery servicesaw sales growth of 20 per cent during the second quarter.
The retailer also opened 12 convenience stores, bringing thetotal opened in the first half of the year to 19, which it said meant that thebusiness was on track to achieve its target of opening 50 additionalconvenience stores this year.
Sainsbury’s also opened 19 new supermarkets during theperiod, including 14 Somerfield and Cooperative supermarkets acquired earlierin 2009, which brought the total number of supermarkets opened during the firsthalf of the year to 24 outlets.
Mr King added: “Our performance in the first half continuesto show good progress as we also invest for the future.
“While we expect market growth to slow in the coming monthsdue to reduced inflation, the universal appeal of our focus on quality andvalue leaves us well positioned going forward.”
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