Wal-Mart singled Asda out for praise as it reported “disappointing” overall sales in the first quarter of 2003.
Asda’s like-for-like sales growth for the quarter was in the upper mid-single digits, excluding petrol, and in the mid-single digit range including petrol.
WalMart said Asda outperformed the UK market, and its food market share increased to 12.9%, a 0.4% increase on last year.
Like-for-like food sales were in the “mid-single digit range”, reflecting aggressive pricing, development of own label, and strong trading around Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Easter.
As part of a drive to improve own label 1,200 Asda products have now been improved, repackaged and relaunched.
General merchandise and clothing were strong during the first quarter, with comparable store growth “well into the double-digits”. In general merchandise, Asda introduced more than 500 new lines in the quarter.
Asda increased its participation in global buying, with sourcing benefits reducing prices. It is also driving local sourcing, with 90% of fresh food that can be sourced in the UK being sourced there.
Overall Wal-Mart sales were up 9.7%, but it said it lagged behind plan for most of the quarter.
Wal-Mart's boss Lee Scott blamed factors including an economic downturn and called the first quarter, “one of the most interesting and in some ways the most confusing periods within recent history”.
Asda’s like-for-like sales growth for the quarter was in the upper mid-single digits, excluding petrol, and in the mid-single digit range including petrol.
WalMart said Asda outperformed the UK market, and its food market share increased to 12.9%, a 0.4% increase on last year.
Like-for-like food sales were in the “mid-single digit range”, reflecting aggressive pricing, development of own label, and strong trading around Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Easter.
As part of a drive to improve own label 1,200 Asda products have now been improved, repackaged and relaunched.
General merchandise and clothing were strong during the first quarter, with comparable store growth “well into the double-digits”. In general merchandise, Asda introduced more than 500 new lines in the quarter.
Asda increased its participation in global buying, with sourcing benefits reducing prices. It is also driving local sourcing, with 90% of fresh food that can be sourced in the UK being sourced there.
Overall Wal-Mart sales were up 9.7%, but it said it lagged behind plan for most of the quarter.
Wal-Mart's boss Lee Scott blamed factors including an economic downturn and called the first quarter, “one of the most interesting and in some ways the most confusing periods within recent history”.
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