Sales rise at Morrisons as it plans a new click and collect service
Morrisons increased its like-for-like sales by 5.7% excluding fuel in the 14 weeks to 10 May although the supermarket said trading in the individual weeks of the quarter was volatile.
The supermarket’s sales were improving before the outbreak of covid-19 but were flat in the first four weeks of its new financial year. Sales then increased in early to mid-March as people stocked up ahead of the covid-19 lockdown.
Since lockdown began, Morrisons has more than doubled the number of weekly home delivery slots it has available as it works with its online grocery delivery partner, Ocado. It has also expanded its Morrisons store on Amazon Prime. Following a trial from six stores in March, the supermarket is now planning to offer click-and-collect pick-up from around 280 Morrisons stores by mid-June.
During the quarter, Morrisons recruited over 25,000 new staff to work in its stores, manufacturing facilities, supply chain, and online and home delivery business.
Looking ahead, the supermarket said the outlook for sales remains uncertain due to the covid-109 pandemic.
David Potts, Morrisons chief executive, added: “We are facing into the unprecedented current challenges and are playing our full part to help feed the nation: working with determination, creativity and pace to serve customers as well as we possibly can.
“The professionalism, enthusiasm and resourcefulness of our frontline key worker colleagues is extraordinary and is showing Morrisons at its very best. I’d like to thank every single colleague: you are Morrisons most important and most valued assets and are making a vital difference to so many people and communities across Britain.”
