UK retailer Sainsbury's has reported on year-on-year improvements in both total and like-for-like sales during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, in line with group expectations.
According to a financial release, total sales improved by 7.1 per cent for the 11-week period ended 20 March 2010, or 4.4 per cent excluding fuel.
Fourth quarter like-for-like sales rose 4.8 per cent, or 1.7 per cent excluding fuel, Sainsbury's reported, average weekly customer transactions increased by 1m to 19m compared with the same period in 2009.
'We've delivered another good performance in line with our expectations on top of strong growth last year,' said CEO Justin King. 'This completes a strong year in which we have accelerated our growth strategy and increased total sales excluding fuel by 6.3 per cent.'
Results had been underpinned by a focus on operational excellence, which had delivered further improvements in customer service and availability, he noted, while 'Great food at fair prices' remained at the core of the group's offer.
Mr King added that the group remained well placed to ride out any difficulties in the coming year and make further progress.
'While we expect the consumer environment to remain challenging in 2010, our universal customer appeal together with our accelerated growth of space for new supermarkets, extensions and convenience stores means we are well placed to make continued good progress in the new financial year,' he said.
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