07/01/2010

Sainsbury's Results 'Strong'

Supermarket chain Sainbury's enjoyed "record" like-for-like sales over the festive period, it was revealed today.

In the 13 weeks proceeding 2 January, sales - minus new store openings - grew by 3.7%.

Excluding fuel and VAT, like-for-like sales rose by 4.2%.

Sainbury's said market conditions remain "challenging" but insisted it was "well placed" for trading in 2010.

"Sainsbury's has delivered a strong trading performance over the past 13 weeks," said Chief Executive Justin King.

This morning shares in the retailer were up almost 2%, bringing dividend prices to 324.2p.

Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers' Richard Hunter described the news as a "very robust performance".

"However, the company also echoed the doubts expressed by most other consumer facing businesses at the moment regarding the challenging nature of the consumer horizon," he said.

Earlier this week department store John Lewis reported bumper Christmas sales, up over 12% on last year.

While Marks and Spencer said its 0.8% rise in UK like-for-like sales over the same period represented a "good Christmas".

(PR/BMcc)

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