Asda Express is continuing to outperform the wider convenience market, recording 2.7% like-for-like sales growth in the third quarter as the supermarket group steps up its convenience expansion plans, with 15 new stores scheduled to open next year.
Asda on Friday (Nov 13) published its third quarter trading update for the 13 weeks to 30th September, reporting total revenue including fuel of £6.5bn, up 3.1% year-on-year, driven by growth across different parts of the group.
Michael Gleeson, Asda’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “The work we’ve done through the period to deliver against our strategy was reflected in our third-quarter performance. Like-for-like food sales returned to growth in Q3, online sales grew strongly and group sales increased, despite the challenging economic backdrop.
“Asda’s key strength is the breadth of our business, spanning food, clothing, fuel, pharmacy and other services. This means we can meet more of our customers' everyday needs and gives us more opportunities to grow. Our disciplined approach to managing costs and cash means we can keep investing in value today and in sustainable growth in the long-term.”
Asda, Britain's third largest grocer after Tesco and Sainsbury's, appointed former Morrisons boss Potts as CEO with immediate effect on November 3.
Asda's total revenue, including fuel, for the 13 weeks to September 30 was £6.5 billion, up 3.1% while like-for-like sales were down 0.1%. Food sales grew 0.1% as investment in price and availability continued to be felt.
Industry data published on Tuesday showed Asda's share of the UK grocery market was 11.3%, down 30 basis points on the year
Potts told Asda's 1,100 store managers earlier this week to open more staffed checkouts, spend more time on the shop floor and get more product on shelves, presented well throughout the day.
"We’re making it harder than it should be for customers to get what they want, move around the store and pay for their shopping. We need to change that," he said.