Savvy shoppers deliver Christmas sales boost for Asda

Britain's leading lowest price supermarket rounded off one of its best years with a solid Christmas trading performance that beat its sales expectation despite some industry predictions that 2008 would be the worst Christmas for retailers for more than 20 years.

In the seven days leading up to Christmas ASDA's 356 stores served 1.3 million more customers than the previous year, with December 23rd its biggest ever trading day with sales significantly ahead of 2007's busiest day. Over the same seven-day period 8 stores had sales of over £4 million (2007: 6), 47 stores had sales in excess of £3 million (2007: 41) and 176 had sales of more than £2 million (2007: 159) on a year on year basis.

ASDA President and CEO, Andy Bond said: "This was one of our best ever Christmas' as our commitment to everyday low prices has once again delivered great value for money for our customers with over one million more shoppers coming through our doors in the week before Christmas.

"As we anticipated Christmas came very late with parents buying practical presents such as slippers and dressing gowns for each other but still making sure their kids' stockings were full on Christmas morning. Food sales as expected held up well as customers didn't stint on food and drink to share with family and friends. Sales of Extra Special products were up by over 50% year on year and we also saw a return to traditional Christmas fare as our sales of local produce increased by over 100% year on year.

"2008 has been one of our best years and we have rounded it off in style with Christmas sales ahead of our expectations. As we enter 2009 it is value retailers like ASDA who offer genuine value for money who will win out as customers struggle to make ends meet."

Christmas facts and figures:

Tuesday 23rd December was ASDA's biggest sales day ever, with sales up significantly on last years biggest day

In the week before Christmas ASDA served 1.3 million more customers than in the previous year

12 stores served more than 100,000 customers in the week and on the busiest day 13 stores served more than 20,000 customers versus 1 store in 2007

In the seven days before Xmas, 8 stores (Boldon, Havant, Minworth, Derby, Longwell Green, Gateshead, Eastleigh and Swindon Haydon) recorded sales greater than £4m, 47 stores surpassed £3m and 176 stores saw sales greater than £2m

Enniskillen and Strabane were the fastest growing stores in the chain in the week running up to Christmas