Sainsbury’s convenience sales fall by 9.4%

Sainsbury’s total convenience sales have fallen annually by 9.4% as a result of reduced footfall within its urban locations.

The decline was revealed by the multiple in its annual results for the year ending 6 March 2021. In comparison, convenience sales during the same period the previous year grew by 1.3%. Total supermarket sales, which include Argos sites in Sainsbury’s stores, during the 2021 period rose annually by 2.5%, while online grocery sales grew year on year by 119.6%.

Despite the fall in convenience sales, Sainsbury’s said “neighbourhood locations benefited from customers shopping locally.” The results also revealed 15 new convenience stores opened during the period, while nine were closed.

Sainsbury’s said: “Further opportunities to rationalize the Group’s supermarkets, convenience estate have been identified, building on last year’s property strategy programme that was announced at the Capital Markets Day in September 2019.

“At the time it was communicated that 10 to 15 supermarkets and 30 to 40 convenience stores would close. It is not expected that 15 to 20 supermarkets and 55 to 75 convenience stores will close or be sold.”

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