Tesco Ireland has posted a sales decline of 3.7% for the first half of the year to 29 August, according to interim results published by the retailer this morning (7 Oct).
The retailer posted a decline of 2.9% in the second quarter of the year, which followed on from a 4.4% decline in Q1. Sales stood at €1,239 million for the period.
Tesco Ireland's first half performance is an improvement on both the first half and second half performances by the retailer in 2014 (1H: -6.3%, 2H: 6.9%).
Commenting on its performance, Andrew Yaxley, chief executive of Tesco Ireland said, “We have brought the cost of shopping in Tesco down by giving customers simple value prices on the everyday products that matter most to them. We’re improving the experience in our stores and online by investing in customer service and by simplifying our range to remove duplication and improve availability of our customers’ favourite products.
"Over the last six months our priority has been to simplify our business so that we can maximise our investment in price and service, and going forward simplification and managing operating costs will continue to be a priority so that we are able to invest in our customers.”
Tesco recently announced that its Irish retailing and associated activities would be included in a new UK & ROI segment; previously its Irish performance was stated as part of a Europe segment.
Like-for-like sales in the UK & ROI segment declined by 1.3%, with an 'improving trajectory' in performance, the retailer said.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
