09/05/2013

Morrisons Record 2.6% Fall In Sales

Morrisons has said it has experienced a "solid start" to its financial year, despite falling sales.

Over the first quarter of the year, sales have fallen by 2.6%.

The figures, on a like-for-like basis, include fuel sales, but total sales contracted by 0.3% as new store openings helped to bolster the business.

The supermarket chain added that the performance, excluding fuel, reflects a steady improvement from the previous quarter and is in line with its expectations.

In the 13 weeks to May 5, the company said sales at its stores open for more than one year fell 1.8% when fuel was excluded. This is an improvement on the fourth quarter fall of 4.1%.

It added that its plans to launch an online food operation by January 2014 were progressing, with talks with online grocer Ocado were continuing.

Chief Executive Dalton Philips said: "Our promotions have been more innovative and we are explaining Morrisons' points of difference more effectively

"These efforts were further reinforced by the horsemeat scandal which helped drive increasing customer recognition of Morrisons' unique supply chain and approach to meat sourcing."

(JP/CD)

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