• Morrisons like-for-likes up 1.6%
  • Total sales down 1.2% in the 13 weeks to October 30
  • Boss David Potts: “There is a lot more we plan to do”

Morrisons boss David Potts said “there is a lot more we plan to do” despite the grocer’s like-for-likes rising 1.6% in its third quarter.

The supermarket giant said its total sales decline of 1.2%, excluding fuel, during the 13 weeks to October 30 reflected the impact of its supermarket closures and the closure of its M Local c-stores.

Like-for-like transactions grew 4.1% as the grocer’s stated efforts to “improve the shopping trip” attracted more customers.

Morrisons also invested in lowering prices during the quarter, with deflation of 1%. 

Potts, who is spearheading the business’ turnaround, said: “Our like-for-like sales have now been positive for a year, which is thanks to the hard work and dedication of the whole Morrisons team.

“There is a lot more we plan to do. We will keep investing in becoming more competitive and improving the shopping trip, and I am confident we will serve our customers even better during the important trading period ahead.”

The grocer said it had a “successful” launch of its new premium range, The Best, during the period, and had its “biggest ever Halloween” with seasonal sales up around 20% year-on-year.

The grocer is set to issue a trading update for the first nine weeks of its fourth quarter on January 10.

 

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