Sainsbury’s today reported to have had its best ever Christmas despite tough trading, with like-for-like sales growing by 0.2% in the festive quarter.
Like-for-like sales at the supermarket for the 14 weeks up to January 4 were up 0.2% excluding petrol, with total sales for the quarter up 2.7% excluding petrol.
Monday December 23rd was Sainsbury’s busiest day and saw customers spend nearly £ 17 million on Christmas shopping in its biggest trading hour, with a single store at Stanway in Essex taking £1m sales in one day. Customers also redeemed more than £120m worth of Nectar points over Christmas.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King said: “This quarter has been characterised by a very tough sales environment throughout October and November, with customers saving up in order to treat their families over the Christmas period. However, we saw strong sales in the key period over Christmas, helping record numbers of customers to Live Well for Less. Like-for-like sales excluding fuel of 0.2 per cent, coupled with a strong contribution from new space, led to our best Christmas ever."
Sainsbury’s business is growing at nearly 18%, while its online grocery site has grown at over 10% in the quarter despite the forecast by the City as analysts warned a run of 35 consecutive quarters of sales growth – almost nine years - could end.
