Somerfield gains growth in tough market
Group sales edge ahead across the year
Somerfield has seen group like-for-like sales increase by 1.1 per cent across the year to April 24 as it competes for sales in an increasingly tough UK grocery sector.
The Somerfield brand outperformed Kwik Save stores. Somerfield stores saw like-for-like sales growth of 2 per cent across the year, with 2.2 per cent growth in the first half slipping back to 1.8 per cent in the second half.
Kwik Save like-for-likes declined by 1 per cent in the first half, improving to 1 per cent growth in the second half, a 0.1 per cent decline across the year.
The group said Somerfield’s sales improvement was driven by the further roll out of its store refit programme and continued improvement to store operations and product ranges.
[img r]kwiksavefresh.jpg[/img]Kwik Save’s move from negative like-for-like sales in the first half to growth in the second half was also driven by its store refit programme, as well as the success of revamped own label ranges.
Somerfield executive chairman John von Spreckelsen said: “The store renewal programme is benefiting our customers in both the Somerfield and Kwik Save fascias. The renewal programme and portfolio alignment for both fascias will continue with pace to strengthen the group’s position in an increasingly competitive market place.”
