4th May 2017 07:00
News Release
Release date: 4 May 2017
Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc
Q1 Trading Statement - 13 weeks to 30 April 2017
In the 13 weeks to 30 April, Group like-for-like* (LFL) sales excluding fuel were up 3.4%, comprising contributions from Retail of 3.0% and Wholesale of 0.4%. Group LFL including fuel was up 6.3%. Total sales* excluding fuel were up 2.8% (up 5.8% including fuel) after the impact of last year's store closures.
LFL volume was again positive, with more customers shopping more often at Morrisons. There was some inflation during the period, as imported food prices were affected by lower sterling. Irrespective of these external pressures, we remain focussed on the journey towards a Morrisons price list and becoming more competitive for customers, and we introduced another wave of 'Price Crunch' lower prices just this week.
We performed well throughout the quarter, especially during the key events of Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter. We continue to serve our customers better, with satisfaction levels again improved, shorter queues during the busiest periods such as Easter, and our new ordering system successfully introduced across more of our range.
During the period, we further expanded our 'Best' range and introduced a healthy eating 'Eat Smart' range. Our new Nutmeg clothing Womenswear offer was introduced into over 50 stores, and the Nutmeg brand was extended into baby and child accessories. We launched a new website, flowerworld.co.uk, offering a range of fresh bouquets for free next day delivery to customers anywhere in Britain, and we introduced a new online and in-store 'Food to Order' offer for Spring/Summer allowing customers to pre-order for parties or other special events all year round. In addition, 'Morrisons at Amazon' continues to grow, with the same-day and one-hour delivery service recently extended into more London postcodes.
David Potts, Chief Executive, said:
"Our new financial year has started well, thanks once again to the dedication of our team of food makers and shopkeepers. We are improving the shopping trip in many different ways, which is making Morrisons more popular and accessible for customers. These new initiatives in-store, online, in wholesale and services are beginning to build a broader, stronger Morrisons.
"We are confident we will continue to turnaround and grow Morrisons. Our expectations and guidance for 2017/18 are unchanged, including year-end net debt of less than £1bn."
* Reported ex-VAT and in accordance with IFRIC 13.
LFL sales performance (ex-VAT)
2016/17 | 2017/18 | |||||||
Q1 | Q2 | H1 | Q3 | Q4 | H2 | FY | Q1 | |
Retail contribution to LFL1 | 0.7% | 2.0% | 1.4% | 1.6% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 3.0% |
Wholesale contribution to LFL2 | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.4% |
Group LFL ex-fuel | 0.7% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 3.4% |
Group LFL inc-fuel | 1.2% | 2.4% | 1.8% | 3.5% | 4.8% | 4.2% | 3.0% | 6.3% |
Reported in accordance with IFRIC 13.
1Retail includes supermarkets and Morrisons.com sales. Morrisons.com sales contributed 0.5% in Q1 2017/18
2Wholesale comprises sales to third parties, including those via our Manufacturing business
Summary of Retail operational key performance indicators3
2016/17 | 2017/18 | |||||||
Q1 | Q2 | H1 | Q3 | Q4 | H2 | FY | Q1 | |
LFL Number of transactions | 3.1% | 4.3% | 3.7% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 4.3% | 4.0% | 4.6% |
LFL Items per basket | -2.8% | -5.0% | -3.9% | -5.5% | -5.3% | -5.4% | -4.6% | -6.9% |
3 Excludes Morrisons.com sales
Notes:
This announcement includes inside information.
- ENDS-
Enquiries:
Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc
Trevor Strain - Chief Financial Officer | 0845 611 5000 |
Andrew Kasoulis - Investor Relations Director | 0778 534 3515 |
Media Relations
Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc: | Julian Bailey | 0796 906 1092 |
Citigate Dewe Rogerson: | Simon Rigby | 0207 282 2847 |
Kevin Smith | 0207 282 1054 |
There will be an analyst conference call at 8:30 a.m. today, the details of which are as follows:
Dial-in number: | +44 (0) 330 336 9411 |
Password: | Morrisons |
Replay facility available for 7 days:
Replay dial-in number: | +44(0) 207 984 7568 |
Access Pin: | 7920665 |
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