UK retailer Asda has reported like-for-like sales growth of 2.7%, excluding fuel, in the third quarter of its financial year.
The company attributed this growth to its strong performance in grocery sales, back to school clothing campaign, and online shopping channels.
The combined net sales for Asda.com and George.com increased by 72% year-on-year, the retailer added.
The company expects to sustain this growth during the fourth quarter and has increased the capacity of its online grocery service to around 765,000 weekly slots.
It has also extended its delivery partnership trial with Uber Eats from 50 to 100 stores.
The company added that it is witnessing a surge in demand for Christmas products and ‘lockdown proof’ festive essentials.
‘A Very Different Christmas’
Asda CEO and President, Roger Burnley, commented, “After a rollercoaster year, it’s clear our customers are already planning for a very different Christmas.
"We have already seen a marked shift in buying patterns with customers stocking up their freezers and cupboards with festive essentials earlier than ever before, which suggests they are getting used to expecting the unexpected but preparing to enjoy themselves as much as possible.”
Sales of Christmas trees have increased by 83% year-on-year, festive lights by 57%, Christmas puddings by 71% and mince pies by 44%, the retailer said.
The company also relaunched its iconic ‘That’s Asda Price’ campaign and ‘Pocket Tap’ during the quarter as part of a £100 million investment programme to slash the prices of thousands of own-label and branded products.
“Asda’s heritage is anchored in providing customers with low prices and great value every time they shop and we and we can reassure them we will continue to offer this during the challenging economic times that lie ahead," said Burnley.
COVID-19 Safety Measures
The retailer introduced enhanced safety measures across all stores to ensure the well-being of its employees and customers as the UK entered its second national lockdown.
These include extending the working hours of Asda’s COVID Safety Marshals in every store from 8:00 hours to 20:00 hours, the addition of 700 new sanitisation stations, and applying antimicrobial coating on all trolley and basket handles.
Burnley added, “Throughout the pandemic our priority has been to do everything we can to protect our customers, colleagues and our communities and we will continue to do so for as long as COVID-19 is part of our lives.”
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
