Somerfield has said that market conditions have worsened and taken its toll on market growth, and that Alan Smith has quit as the company’s chief executive.

The country’s fifth largest supermarket group with some 1,300 Somerfield and Kwik Save fascias announced that like-for-like sales rose 1.7% in the first seven weeks of its second quarter, having fallen 0.3% in the first quarter.

In its statement Somerfield said operating profit for the full year was likely to be similar to last year's due “material deflationary pressure” and assuming no change in market conditions.

Pre-tax profit for the year ended April 27 was £22.2m compared with a £13m loss in 2001.

Chairman of the group John von Spreckelsen is to take the reins of the executive team as Smith leaves “to pursue other business interests”.

Last week Somerfield hired Budgens’ group finance director Steven Back in the same capacity to start on November 4.


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