Asda sales growth slowed ahead of leadership shake-up

Asda’s food sales growth slowed to almost zero in the third quarter, just before Allan Leighton stepped back from leading its turnaround and David Potts became chief executive. The figures temper signs of recovery after the supermarket had reported its first like-for-like sales growth in more than two years.

Food sales rose 0.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis over the 13 weeks to the end of September, down from 0.7 per cent in the seven weeks to mid-August. Overall revenue, including fuel, increased 3.1 per cent year on year, while online sales rose 6.9 per cent. Later Worldpanel figures showed total sales down 0.5 per cent in the 12 weeks to November, while Lidl’s rose 6.6 per cent and Morrisons’ 2 per cent; Potts has called for improvements to the in-store experience.