11/03/2010

New Stores Help Boost Morrisons

Supermarket chain Morrisons has reported bumper sales, citing new store launches for its success.

Like-for-like pre-tax profits for last year jumped to £858m, from £655m in 2008/09.

Annual sales were up 6%, excluding fuel and VAT. Turnover also grew by 6% giving a total value of £15.4bn.

Basic earnings per share was 22.8p, up more than five pence in 2008/09.

Total dividend for the year was up 41% to 8.2p.

Morrisons said weekly average customer numbers had increased by 7%.

The supermarket opened 43 new stores in the UK last year, creating 10,000 new jobs.

Sir Ian Gibson, Non-Executive Chairman, said Morrisons had another good year.

"The opening of 43 new stores in the year accelerated our journey from National to Nationwide," he said.

"We expect the economic environment to remain challenging, disposable incomes to be under pressure and value to remain a high priority for consumers."

Sir Ian added: "For the longer term, we will continue to utilise our balance sheet strength to invest for growth, with new space, new manufacturing capability and new systems priorities in the year ahead."

Dalton Philips will take up his role as Morrisons' new CEO on 29 March.

(PR/NS)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 October 2012
Doncaster Tesco Drivers To Strike For 48 hours
More than 180 drivers at the Tesco distribution centre in Doncaster will strike for 48 hours next week, disrupting supplies to Tesco stores across the region. The strike will start at 00:05 on Tuesday 9 October and will end at 00:05 on Thursday 11 October and will cause havoc in supplying the Tesco stores in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
14 March 2012
Greggs Sales Boosted By New Stores
Greggs, the UK’s largest chain of bakeries, have said both profits and sales rose in 2011 as it opened 84 new stores. The also said they have plans for 90 more new stores and to explore new store formats. 2011 pre-tax profits were up 15% to £60.5m. But after stripping out exceptional items, profits rose just 1.1%.
09 September 2015
Morrisons To Sell Convenience Stores
Morrisons has agreed to sells its 140 M local convenience stores for approximately £25 million. It is understood a team led by retail entrepreneur Mike Greene and backed by Greybull Capital LLP will purchase the stores. The supermarket chain will retain five M local shops and expects to incur a loss on disposal of around £30m.
12 October 2012
New Parental Leave Proposal To Give New Fathers A Year Off
The coalition have put forward a proposal that would allow fathers to take the majority of the first year of a baby's life off work, if the mother goes back to work.
05 January 2009
More Weekend Shoppers Head For The High Street
More shoppers hit British high streets over the weekend than in the same period last year, it has been revealed. Footfall during Friday, Saturday and Sunday was up 2.7%, according to figures released today. Market analyst Experian cited the time of week New Year's Day fell on as a possible reason for the increase.