Asda news

The UK government has introduced new rules for Christmas, with tighter restrictions in some areas of the country. We explore these, and the implications for the grocery sector. What has changed? A new tier has been introduced for London and much of the south-east The whole of Wales has entered another lockdown Scotland will enter a new lockdown from 26 December Where are the n...

Asda paid a £1.15 bn dividend to parent Walmart, according to newly filed accounts at Companies House for the year to 31 December 2019. Made in March, this was the first such payment for three years. Profits fall as sales edge lower The dividend was paid despite profit for the period falling by over a quarter to £584.2m, from £803.2m in 2018, which Asda attributed to a number of one-off cos...

A combination of shoppers planning earlier for Christmas, and a national lockdown in England, led to the grocery market's fastest rate of growth since August. The market grew 11.3% in the 12 weeks to 29 November, according to Kantar. We look at key retailers' sales growth, the latest online developments, and highlight format development from the Big Four in November.  Preparing for Christmas a...

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally opened an investigation into the planned £6.8bn acquisition of Asda by billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa, owners of EG Group, in partnership with TDR Capital. In a separate development, Asda has confirmed its chief customer officer has left the business to rejoin her family in Australia. Phase 1 probe launched The CMA...

Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda and Aldi have followed Tesco’s lead in deciding to repay business rates relief received from the UK government and devolved administrations during the pandemic. The moves follow criticism of food retailers taking advantage of the scheme while also being able to trade throughout the crisis. Repaying the tax breaks will make it easier for these retailers to pay dividend...

As excitement builds, despite a different feel to Christmas this year, we share three initiatives that focus on offering ease, value, and support to local communities during the season. Hassle-free Christmas food box Food boxes have become increasingly popular in 2020, providing shoppers with a one-stop solution for celebrating seasonal events at home. To appeal to customers on a plant-base...

Asda has announced that children will be able to eat for free at its cafes throughout December, in a move that should boost footfall to stores from high spending family customers in the run-up to Christmas. All cafes to offer free meals All 216 Asda cafes will take part in the scheme which allows children under the age of 16 a meal free of charge when accompanies by an adult. Stores locat...

Speaking to Forecourt Trader magazine, Ilyas Munshi, Group Commercial Director for EG Group has emphasized that despite the company’s owners being closely involved in the recent acquisition of Asda, this represents a separate enterprise, and that for forecourt operator EG Group, everything is very much ‘business as usual’. Will explore opportunities to collaborate and work together ‘in due cou...

Asda has revealed that LFL sales in the three months to September 30 th grew by 2.7%. This was a slowdown on Q2’s +3.8%, with the period coinciding with the end of the first UK-wide lockdown and the reopening of the hospitality sector. Online key to growth Asda reported that combined net sales across Asda.com and George.com were up 72% year-on-year as more customers took advantage of inc...

Market growth in the 12 weeks to November 1st slowed slightly to 9.3%, from 9.4% in the previous reporting period, according to the latest Kantar results. We look at key retailers' sales growth and market share in more detail, including standout performances from Iceland, Lidl, Morrisons and Waitrose, who all grew above the market. Panic buying has not returned to levels seen before the first ...