// Ocado sales rise 3.4% to £583.7m in the first quarter despite customers shopping in smaller quantities
// Chief executive Hannah Gibson said the grocer had shaken off Covid consumer behaviors
Ocado enjoys a solid start to the new year as sales rise 3% despite customers shopping in smaller quantities.
Sales edged up 3.4% for the online supermarket to £583.7m in the 13 weeks to 26th February.
The average basket size dropped 7.5% but was offset by an 8.3% increase in average selling price.
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The online grocer said order frequency had returned to pre-Covid levels as average orders per week rose 3.6% for the quarter.
Ocado Retail chief executive Hannah Gibson said: “We continue to attract more and more customers to Ocado, by investing in great value for customers including our new Ocado Price Promise and providing unbeatable choice and service.
“We are also championing smaller suppliers and creating more of the M&S magic for customers by offering more of the products they love.
“While the trading environment remains challenging, we expect to build momentum through the second half of the year, as we improve our proposition, grow our customer base, and no longer lap Covid shopping behaviours.
Gibson said the solid performance for the first quarter will enable the grocer to return to sales growth and profitability after it swung to a £501m loss in 2022.
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