Finnish retailer Kesko saw sales in its grocery trade division rise by 4.5% in September to €482.5 million, with a strong store performance offset by weaker foodservice sales.
Sales at the group's K-food stores were up 8.6%, the group said, while Kespro sales decreased by 7.9%, due to continuing restrictions on restaurants and events due to COVID-19.
Aside from food, Kesko's other divisions put in a strong performance, with its building and technical trade seeing an increase of 7.2%, its leisure trade seeing sales up 4.7%, and its car trade division seeing sales rise by 11.2%.
Sales Increase
”Kesko’s sales in September grew in comparable terms in all divisions," commented president and CEO Mikko Helander.
"In the grocery trade division, grocery sales at K-food stores developed well. Sales also continued to grow in the building and technical trade division. In the car trade division, demand continued to strengthen and sales grew by 11.2%. The month had one delivery day more than the year before."
Overall, Kesko Group reported sales of €927.8 million for September 2020, which represents an increase of 6.0% in comparable terms.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
