Morrisons has managed to slow a slide in sales seen in recent results, despite a fall in overall trading space.

In the 13 weeks to May 3rd, total sales excluding fuel were down 1.1% (down 5.1% including fuel) and like-for-like sales were down 2.9% (6.6% including fuel). Online contributed 1% to like-for-like during the period.

David Potts, who joined the business as CEO on March 16th, has previously said that the company needed to make “tough but necessary decisions” and added that Morrisons was now concentrating on improving the customer experience and making its core supermarkets strong again.

He added: “We are listening hard to customers and colleagues and, wherever possible, we are responding quickly.”

As previously announced, the company closed more stores than it opened 13 weeks, which led to a net reduction in selling space of over 50,000 sq ft. It is also taking steps to simplify its head office, and anticipates incurring associated one-off costs of up to £40m during the financial year.

Mr Potts, commented: "My initial impressions from my first seven weeks are of a business eager to listen to customers and improve. I have been very pleased by the desire and support of colleagues, and by the genuine warmth and affection for Morrisons shared by both colleagues and customers.

"This is a business with many attributes, some unique. Our task is to use those advantages to improve the shopping trip for customers and create value."