// Asda sales rise in third quarter thanks to demand in Christmas products
// Like-for-like sales were up 2.7% during the three months to September 30
// Online sales at Asda.com and George.com rose by a colossal 72% year on year
Asda has seen its sales rise during its third quarter as demand for “key Christmas products” continued to surge.
The Big 4 grocer said like-for-like sales were up 2.7 per cent during the three months to September 30.
Online sales from Asda.com and George.com jumped by a colossal 72 per cent year on year.
READ MORE:
- Now that it’s returned to British ownership, what’s next for Asda?
- Is Asda too late to the convenience sector?
Asda hailed “strong performance in core grocery, back-to-school clothing and online shopping” for the quarter.
It said it expected its online sales growth to continue in the fourth quarter and has increased the capacity of its grocery home shopping service to 765,000 weekly slots in response.
Nevertheless, Asda witnessed a surge in Christmas spending. Third-quarter sales of Christmas trees increased by 83 per cent, sales of festive lights rose 57 per cent, Christmas puddings 71 per cent and mince pies 44 per cent.
Asda expects customers to celebrate Christmas this year “in a different way” and said that sales of frozen turkey crowns, “which typically serve 3-4 people”, have increased 230 per cent year on year.
“After a rollercoaster year, it’s clear our customers are already planning for a very different Christmas,” Asda chief executive Roger Burnley said.
“We have already seen a marked shift in buying patterns with customers stocking up their freezers and cupboards with festive essentials earlier than ever before, which suggests they are getting used to expecting the unexpected but preparing to enjoy themselves as much as possible.
“Whatever happens during the next few weeks, we are totally focused on delivering a great Christmas for our customers during these uncertain times.”
In an effort to keep customers safe, Asda has extended Covid Safety Marshal hours, added over 700 new sanitisation stations in stores, and paid vulnerable and shielding staff contracted hours for the duration of the second lockdown if they cannot work.
“Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been to do everything we can to protect our customers, colleagues and our communities and we will continue to do so for as long as Covid is part of our lives,” Burnley said.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
