Ocado sales and customer numbers rise but basket size falls

The etailer, a joint venture between Ocado Group and Marks & Spencer, said orders were up but also recorded a flat basket value and fall in basket size over the period.

Ocado Retail’s revenue climbed 3.4% year on year to £584m. Average orders per week advanced 3.6% to 381,000 and active customer numbers were ahead 13.8% to 951,000 at the end of the quarter.

However, the average basket value was flat at £124 and the average basket size fell 7.5% as the average selling price increased 8.3%. 

Ocado grew strongly during the pandemic as shoppers switched to online, but recently has suffered following consumers’ return to shops. 

Ocado Retail chief executive Hannah Gibson said: “We continue to attract more and more customers to Ocado, by investing in great value for customers including our new Ocado Price Promise and providing unbeatable choice and service.

“This means more perfect orders that are on time and in full, with deliveries back to the kitchen table. We are also championing smaller suppliers and creating more of the M&S magic for customers by offering more of the products they love.

“While the trading environment remains challenging, we expect to build momentum through the second half of the year, as we improve our proposition, grow our customer base and no longer lap Covid shopping behaviours. This solid 2023 performance will enable us to return to sales growth and profitability.”