In the Netherlands, Super de Boer has reported that consumer sales remained flat at €470m during the third quarter of the year, although net sales fell year-on year from €373m to €368m.
'In the third quarter of this year, Super de Boer recorded consumer sales of €470 million with on average 9 fewer stores than in 2008,' said group CEO Jan Brouwer in a statement. 'Average sales per store in the third quarter grew by 2.8 per cent to €130,000 per week.
For the first three months of 2009, the group saw net sales grow slightly to €1.13bn, up from €1.12bn last year.
'Over the first three quarters of 2009, average weekly sales per store grew by 3.4 per cent to €130,763,' Mr Brouwer added. 'Taking the current economic climate into consideration, we are satisfied with these results.'
Super de Boer also outlined its strategy for the rest of 2009, including modernising and expanding 50-60 stores, investing €20m in company-operated stores, and further strengthening the group's private label range and price-positioning position.
