Ocado reports strong festive sales
Online grocery retailer Ocado enjoyed a 14.2% increase in gross sales over the festive period driven by growth in customer orders and basket size.
In the six weeks to 6 January 2013, gross sales reached £91.6 million while customer orders rose by 11.4% from 2011 with strong basket growth. Sales of both Ocado own label products and non-food items increased by 70% in the period.
Gross sales in the seven trading days to Christmas were up 17.1% on the same period in 2011 at £21.8 million.
Tim Steiner, Ocado chief executive, said: “It was a very good festive season for us, evidenced by growth in orders, basket size and sales.
Never Miss a Retail Update!“We are pleased to have helped record numbers of customers enjoy Christmas without the stresses and strains of visiting a physical supermarket. Our colleagues did an exceptional job in ensuring customers received the highest service standards with deliveries on time and in full.”
The retailer said that plans for the opening of its second fulfilment centre were on track. Steiner added: “In 2013, we will substantially increase our capacity with the opening of our second fulfilment centre, and so we hope to make it possible for many more customers to escape crowded aisles, checkouts and car parks.”
