Sainsbury’s has reported like-for-like sales growth of 0.2%, excluding fuel, for the 14 weeks to 4 January.
The figure means the retailer has clung on to its long run of positive like-for-like growth, which now stretches to 36 quarters.
Although CEO Justin King said Sainsbury’s had its “best Christmas ever”, he described the figure as “flat” and said the quarter “had been characterised by a very tough sales environment”.
Throughout October and November, customers had saved up in order to treat their families over Christmas, he said.
“However, we saw strong sales in the key period over Christmas, helping record numbers of customers to Live Well for Less,” King added.
Total sales rose 2.7%, excluding fuel, during the period. The seven days before Christmas was the retailer’s busiest ever trading week, with more than 28 million transactions. 23 December was its busiest day, in which it hit its biggest trading hour, with customers spending nearly £17m.
Its convenience estate, which grew sales by nearly 18% during the quarter, chalked up its busiest trading day on Christmas Eve, with sales of nearly £7m.
Sainsbury’s online grocery offer racked up sales of £5m on 22 December – its biggest ever sales day. Online sales rose 10% in the quarter.
“As with last year, we expect customers to spend cautiously in the few months following Christmas, in an attempt to rebalance the household finances,” King added.
“The general economic backdrop remains uncertain for many families, so helping them to Live Well for Less remains the key to continuing our market outperformance.”
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