With the gloom comes some boom
http://money.aol.co.uk/asda-reports-...31944156453969
Asda reports 'solid' seasonal sales
Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 05:10 GMT
Supermarket chain Asda has reported a "solid" Christmas trading performance with sales ahead of its own expectations.
The retail giant said in the week before Christmas, its 356 UK stores served 1.3 million more customers than the previous year.
December 23 was its biggest ever trading day with sales "significantly" ahead of 2007's busiest day, it said.
In the seven days before Christmas, eight stores - Boldon, Havant, Minworth, Derby, Longwell Green, Gateshead, Eastleigh and Swindon Haydon - recorded sales greater than £4 million, 47 stores surpassed £3 million and 176 stores saw sales greater than £2 million.
Asda president and chief executive officer Andy Bond said: "As we anticipated, Christmas came very late with parents buying practical presents such as slippers and dressing gowns for each other but still making sure their kids' stockings were full on Christmas morning.
"Food sales, as expected, held up well as customers didn't stint on food and drink to share with family and friends."
He added: "2008 has been one of our best years and we have rounded it off in style with Christmas sales ahead of our expectations.
"As we enter 2009, it is value retailers like Asda who offer genuine value for money who will win out as customers struggle to make ends meet."
Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 05:10 GMT
Supermarket chain Asda has reported a "solid" Christmas trading performance with sales ahead of its own expectations.
The retail giant said in the week before Christmas, its 356 UK stores served 1.3 million more customers than the previous year.
December 23 was its biggest ever trading day with sales "significantly" ahead of 2007's busiest day, it said.
In the seven days before Christmas, eight stores - Boldon, Havant, Minworth, Derby, Longwell Green, Gateshead, Eastleigh and Swindon Haydon - recorded sales greater than £4 million, 47 stores surpassed £3 million and 176 stores saw sales greater than £2 million.
Asda president and chief executive officer Andy Bond said: "As we anticipated, Christmas came very late with parents buying practical presents such as slippers and dressing gowns for each other but still making sure their kids' stockings were full on Christmas morning.
"Food sales, as expected, held up well as customers didn't stint on food and drink to share with family and friends."
He added: "2008 has been one of our best years and we have rounded it off in style with Christmas sales ahead of our expectations.
"As we enter 2009, it is value retailers like Asda who offer genuine value for money who will win out as customers struggle to make ends meet."
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