Asda returns to food sales growth after two-year slump

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 20:20 · Archive

Asda's like-for-like food sales grew 0.1% in the third quarter, the first growth in over two years.

Asda has returned to food sales growth for the first time since 2024, reporting a 0.1% increase in like-for-like food sales for the three months to the end of September. The Leeds-based supermarket also saw online grocery sales jump 6.9% and its Asda Express convenience stores grow 2.7% in the period. However, overall group like-for-like sales excluding fuel fell 0.1% to £5.1 billion.

This marked a sharp reversal from the second quarter, when group like-for-like sales fell 2.3% and food sales dropped 1.9%. Michael Gleeson, Asda's chief financial officer, said: 'The work we've done through the period to deliver against our strategy was reflected in our third quarter performance. Like-for-like food sales returned to growth in the third quarter, online sales grew strongly and group sales increased, despite the challenging economic backdrop.'

Asda has been aggressively cutting prices in a bid to restore its fortunes. The strategy has helped drive sales growth, though it has impacted the supermarket's bottom line. The group earlier this month hired former Morrisons boss David Potts as its new chief executive to help take revival efforts forward, with former boss Allan Leighton becoming non-executive chairman.

The supermarket faced significant headwinds in recent years. A botched IT upgrade last year hit product availability and dented sales, contributing to a £989 million pre-tax loss for 2025, widened from £599 million losses a year earlier. Despite these challenges, the modest return to food sales growth suggests Asda's turnaround strategy is beginning to gain traction.

How it is being reported

• Asda returns to modest food sales growth for first time since 2024The Leeds-based group reported 0.1% growth in like-for-like food sales for the three months to the end of September.Evening Standard · 13 Nov, 14:00
• Asda sales growth slowed ahead of leadership shake-upAsda’s food sales slowed in the weeks before Allan Leighton stepped back from leading the grocer’s turnaround, replaced by a former Morrisons and Tesco boss. The discount supermarket grew its like-for-like food sales by 0.1 per cent in its third quarter, marking a slowdown from the significant uplift in sales it had seen at the [...]City AM · 13 Nov, 14:00
• Asda returns to modest food sales growth for first time since 2024The Leeds-based group reported 0.1% growth in like-for-like food sales for the three months to the end of September.Independent Business · 13 Nov, 14:00

In this story: Asda · Leeds · Michael Gleeson · David Potts · Allan Leighton · Morrisons · Tesco · UK

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