Member Article

Morrisons sales fall as competitors steal online and convenience edge

Supermarket operator Morrisons has seen sales fall 2.4% in the third quarter due to its lack of online shopping offer and lower number of convenience stores, bosses say.

The firm say consumer confidence remains subdued but realised their “low exposure” to the sector’s key growth areas was putting them at a disadvantage.

Morrisons say the technology and marketing plan is now in place to roll out online delivery to 50% of the UK, beginning in January 2014 with Warwickshire.

Chief executive, Dalton Philips said: “We continue to grow our sales in this tough market whilst making great progress on our strategy to be a multi-channel retailer. I said at the outset that our online offer would be unmistakably Morrisons and I’m very confident that the service we unveil in January will live up to that promise.

“Many of our customers will be able to experience our distinctive online food service early in the new year and we expect to be able to serve 50% of UK homes by the end of the year. In convenience we are currently opening three M locals a week bringing the Morrisons brand to an ever increasing number of new customers.

“We’ve made good progress in strengthening our core proposition during the quarter and with Christmas just round the corner, we are pleased to see customers responding well to our Big Christmas Bonus and industry leading deals.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .