Asda plans a substantial £13m investment to enhance operations for the festive period.
- Third quarter sales dropped by 2.5% to £5.3bn, excluding fuel.
- Asda’s like-for-like sales fell by 4.8%, yet the company noticed a quarter-on-quarter improvement.
- The investment aligns with enhancing customer experience and service during peak seasons.
- Significant changes in operations follow Asda’s large-scale business transformation efforts.
Asda has committed to a £13m investment aimed at improving its store operations during the festive season. This move comes in response to a noticeable downturn in third quarter sales, which saw a 2.5% drop to £5.3bn, excluding fuel sales. The supermarket’s like-for-like sales also experienced a decline of 4.8%. Despite these challenges, Asda managed to register an improvement compared to its previous quarter.
The strategic investment focuses on ensuring sufficient staff availability in stores to better serve customers during the busy holiday period. This initiative follows an earlier £30m investment directed at enhancing store hours, which Asda reported as having a positive impact on customer service.
Stuart Rose, Asda’s chairman, highlighted the extensive transformation the company has undergone over the past three years. He stated, ‘We have undergone the largest transformation in our history, doubling our store footprint, expanding into strategically important growth markets, and overhauling our digital capabilities.’ These efforts have involved a significant amount of resources and leadership focus, which temporarily affected customer experience in stores.
Asda remains confident that its recent investments and strategic decisions will enhance consistency in customer service. The company is committed to delivering an exceptional in-store experience, especially during the upcoming Christmas season and beyond.
Asda’s decisive investments aim to boost customer satisfaction and operational efficiency during critical festive periods.
