11th Jan 2006 07:00
Morrison(Wm.)Supermarkets PLC11 January 2006 Wm. MORRISON SUPERMARKETS PLC CHRISTMAS SALES UPDATE 11th JANUARY 2006 Morrisons has delivered solid sales growth over the Christmas and New Yearperiod. This update provides figures for the six weeks ended 8 January. Total sales of the 380 stores in the Group during this period increased by 6.1%(4.5% excluding fuel). • Like for like sales were up by 4.4% (2.8% excluding fuel) reflecting the success of the Safeway conversion programme which was concluded in November 2005. • Like for like sales in the 220 converted stores grew overall by 9.7% (9.0% excluding fuel) with the 56 conversions which have been trading for more than 52 weeks recording a 6.4% improvement (5.7% excluding fuel). • Like for like sales in the 122 core Morrisons stores decreased by 0.7% (2.9% excluding fuel). • Total sales decreased by 8.1% (9.0% excluding fuel) reflecting the disposal of 155 stores over the past year. As initially indicated in our interim announcement in October 2005 we have nowconfirmed the closure of three distribution depots at Warrington, Aylesford andBristol. The associated exceptional property and redundancy costs are expectedto be around £60 million and will be incurred this year. The directors believe that the profit outturn for the year to 29th January 2006will be in line with previous guidance and will be providing full details of theoptimisation plan with the preliminary results on March 23rd. For further information: Media:Gillian Hall Public Relations Director 01274 356804 Citigate Dewe Rogerson: 020 7638 9571Simon RigbySarah GestetnerFiona Mulcahy Investor Relations:Niall Addison Investor Relations Director 07764 624701 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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