Sainsbury’s has smashed the previous record for sales of English apples set by Tesco seven weeks before the end of the season.
English Apples & Pears announced that on 12 June. Sainsbury’s sales had reached 34,150 tonnes to set the new record surpassing Tesco’s 2007-08 total of 34,134t.
Adrian Barlow, EA&P chief executive said he was “delighted” and praised the retailer for the performance of its stores in terms of merchandising and display. “With seven weeks of the season remaining, their sales are likely to reach 34,500t,” he said.
Sainsbury’s attributed its success to a strong working partnership along the supply chain. “We have been able to achieve this through Sainsbury's and its supply base setting very clear objectives and planning,” said a spokeswoman. “The close liaison throughout the season between Sainsbury's buying and technical teams with growers and supplying companies has been of fundamental importance as has been the performance of our stores and colleagues.”
