Super de Boer has reported that year-on-year group sales fell slightly during the first quarter (Q1) of 2009, compared with the corresponding period in 2008, down to €463.3m from €467.4m.
According to group chief executive officer Jan Brouwer, the sales were achieved with 11 fewer stores than the previous year, an element that he described as 'pleasing'.
Net sales for the quarter fell to €367.9m from €368.1m last year, while average sales per store grew 2.5 per cent to over €127,000 per week.
For 2009 the group will refurbish and extend 50-60 stores, with capital expenditure of €20m on the group's own stores including replacement investments of €3m.
Meanwhile, there will be an increased emphasis on private-label products and improving price positioning, and more intense local marketing.
