Sainsbury’s has hailed a record Christmas performance for contributing to like-for-like sales growth of 4.2% in the 13 weeks to 2 January 2010.
The UK’s third largest supermarket posted total sales growth of 6.2% for the quarter and said weekly transactions had risen by £1m year-on-year.
The retailer has offered permanent jobs to over 1,000 of the staff it recruited for temporary roles at Christmas
Justin King, chief executive, said, “Sainsbury’s has delivered a strong trading performance over the past 13 weeks resulting in like-for-like sales growth, excluding fuel, of 3.7%, or 4.2% VAT adjusted.
“Our strategy of delivering great food at fair prices has resulted in a record Christmas performance, completing a strong third quarter on top of good growth last year.
“While food price inflation eased in the quarter as expected, a winning combination of more customers, enjoying even better products and prices through more stores delivered total sales growth of 6.2 per cent.”
Sainsbury’s said it served one million more customers each week over the quarter, hitting an all time high of 24 million in the seven days up to and including Christmas Eve.
Sainsbury’s Nectar card data showed that over 14% more customers bought their turkey and trimmings from its stores than during Christmas 2008.
Sainsbury’s predicted it would grow gross space by 15 per cent in the two years to March 2011.
In the quarter it opened eight new supermarkets including six stores acquired from Co-op/Somerfield and two replacement supermarkets (including Braehead at 68,000 sq ft). It also completed five store extensions and opened eight convenience stores.
The retailer had 32 more supermarkets open for Christmas in 2009 than the previous year.
Online grocery sales grew by 15% in the quarter.
