Asda's like-for-like quarterly sales drop due to late Easter

With an adjustment for the late Easter, Asda’s like-for-likes increased by 0.5% over its first fiscal quarter, its latest trading statement revealed.

Walmart chief financial officer, Brett Biggs, said: “The Easter calendar shift negatively affected several of our markets, including Asda where comps declined 1.1%, but would have been positive without the Easter flip.” 

The results are the first since the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the proposed merger of Sainsbury’s and Asda last month after concluding that “UK shoppers would be worse off”.

Asda ceo and president, Roger Burnley, said: “Throughout the quarter we have maintained our focus and momentum, against an increasingly challenging backdrop and we remain entirely focused on delivering our strategy, without the benefits the proposed merger with Sainsbury’s would have delivered.

“Our strategy remains as it always has been – winning on price for customers, whilst delivering a consistent customer experience, and investing in driving growth where customers care.

Walmart ceo and president, Doug McMillon, said: “In the UK, we are disappointed that the proposed merger of Asda with Sainsbury’s isn’t happening because it would’ve been good for customers and the businesses. Asda continues to focus on delivering against our strategy and has built momentum in the business, which is impressive.”