Takeover talk can't prick Sainsbury's balloon

Sainsbury’s, the UK’s number three supermarket chain unveiled another strong set of figures this morning.

The takeover target’s like-for-like sales excluding fuel, rose 5.9 per cent in the 12 weeks to March 24.

It will soon be time for the media to drop the word ‘recovery’ from every Sainsbury’s results release and the firm itself is in the final year of ceo Justin King’s three-year recovery plan.

The group’s trading update said store extensions, refurbishments and new stores all performed well during the three months. A 50 per cent growth in sales of Fairtrade products and what Sainsbury’s sees as a focus on healthier eating since Christmas have also boosted sales, as has price cuts on more than 1,000 goods.

"'We have now completed the second year of our Making Sainsbury's Great Again recovery plan and have delivered strong sales growth in our fourth quarter, the ninth consecutive quarter of growth," King said, adding that the recovery plan was "delivering substantial value" for shareholders.

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