- Q3 like-for-like sales up 3.0% vs up 3.9% in Q2
- Facing 'significant cost headwinds' from higher taxes
- Industry data shows Morrisons underperforming rivals
LONDON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - British supermarket group Morrisons reported a slowdown in third quarter underlying sales growth on Wednesday, citing a tough trading environment marked by rising inflation and challenging economic conditions.
The UK's fifth largest grocer, which has been owned by U.S. private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice since 2021, also said it was having to manage "significant cost headwinds" from higher employer taxes introduced in the government's budget last year as well as a new packaging levy.
Morrisons, which trails industry leader Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and discounter Aldi in UK market share, said its like-for-like sales rose 3.0% in the 13 weeks to July 27, having climbed 3.9% in the previous quarter.
“Consumers are feeling the squeeze and we are continuing to work hard to help our customers make the most of stretched household budgets," Chief Executive Rami Baitiéh said, highlighting price cuts on 650 everyday items last week.
British inflation in August held at 3.8%, official data showed on Wednesday, the highest among major advanced economies. It is being driven by higher food prices.
Retailers are uneasy about how consumer confidence and spending could be impacted by tax rise speculation in the run-up to the government's budget on November 26.
Baitiéh, CEO since 2023, is attempting to modernise Morrisons, which differs from its main rivals in that it also has its own production operations, making half of the fresh food it sells.
He said the group's market share was "stable" in the period.
However, industry data, published on Tuesday, showed Morrisons continuing to underperform the sales growth of its bigger rivals.
Market researcher Worldpanel said Morrisons' sales rose 1.4% over the 12 weeks to September 7, with its market share at 8.4%, down 0.3 percentage points on the year.
Morrisons ended its third quarter with gross debt of 3.5 billion pounds ($4.8 billion), down from 6.2 billion pounds when CD&R acquired the business.
($1 = 0.7332 pounds)
Reporting by James Davey. Editing by Kim Coghill and Mark Potter
Source: Reuters