Morrisons sales growth accelerates as turnaround strategy continues

The supermarket group reported like-for-like sales growth of 3.2% over the latest quarter, boosted by hot weather and the World Cup

Morrisons has posted its strongest sales growth in over a year as the supermarket chain’s turnaround continues to gain momentum.

The heavily indebted retailer said it benefited from warm weather and the World Cup during the most recent quarter.

Chief executive Rami Baitieh said the group’s performance was “robust” and outpaced the broader UK grocery market following investment in competitive pricing.

The Bradford-based company reported that group like-for-like sales rose by 3.2% over the 13 weeks to 26 July, compared with the same period a year earlier.

Total sales climbed to £4.1bn for the quarter, the company added.

Mr Baitieh said: “Our stronger sales momentum reflected a broad-based improvement across the business – with our supermarkets, online, convenience, pharmacy and Myton manufacturing businesses all reporting good growth, underlining our progress with our plans to renew and modernise Morrisons.

“We are pleased with our third quarter performance.

“Our stronger like-for-like sales, the combination of lower prices and volume growth, and our market share improvement, are all clear evidence that our strategy is delivering and that we remain on track with our plans.”