Sligro

Netherlands-based retailer Sligro has reported that group sales increased by 3.3 per cent through the first quarter of 2010, up €17m on the same period of 2009 to €535m.

Like-for-like consumer growth at EM-Té and Golff supermarkets stood at 4.9 per cent for the three-month period, partly the product of successful sales campaigns and operational improvements coupled with a positive calendar effect.

'In an environment under heavy pressure from competitors' sales campaigns and price cutting, we can be satisfied with this sales performance,' the group said in a statement.

Despite the growth, food retail sales fell slightly as a result of the transfer of stores to Spar Holding and others in 2009, while the number of outlets remained unchanged from year-end 2009 at 123.