Brief
Tesco predicts a marginally healthier Christmas with lower alcohol sales
Tesco’s CEO says consumers will opt for fewer alcoholic drinks during the festive season, amid a 1% like‑for‑like sales rise.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Tesco’s chief executive Ken Murphy told the press on 8 October that UK shoppers are likely to have a “marginally healthier” Christmas, meaning they will buy fewer alcoholic drinks, as the retailer reports a 1% like‑for‑like sales increase for the six months to 29 August.
What happened
For the six months to 29 August, Tesco’s sales excluding fuel and VAT reached £33.8 billion, up 1% year‑on‑year and 1.5% in the UK alone. Online grocery orders grew 8.4% and the rapid‑delivery service Whoosh saw sales rise 37%.
What the reports add
Murphy highlighted a surge in demand for low‑ and no‑alcohol products, noting that the retailer launched around 800 new or improved items, including fibre‑enriched bakery goods, higher‑protein yoghurts and more nutritious ready meals. He linked the trend to habits that began during the Covid pandemic and have since broadened across age groups.
What was said
“I think consumers in the UK have been pretty resilient in a very uncertain environment,” Murphy said, adding that “customers will want to celebrate whatever festive occasion that they celebrate for the next three months.” He also said food inflation is “well below” wage inflation and that the industry’s competitiveness helps keep food price rises in check.
How it came about
The comments follow Tesco’s first‑half results, which lifted its full‑year profit outlook to £3.15‑£3.3 billion, up from the previous £3‑£3.3 billion range.
Key facts
- Tesco’s sales excluding fuel and VAT were £33.8 billion in the six months to 29 August. (standard.co.uk)
- Like‑for‑like sales were up 1% year‑on‑year. (standard.co.uk)
- Online grocery sales grew 8.4% and Whoosh sales rose 37%. (standard.co.uk)
- Tesco expects full‑year profit of £3.15‑£3.3 billion. (standard.co.uk)
- CEO Ken Murphy said consumers may have a marginally healthier Christmas with lower alcohol consumption. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Britons to have ‘marginally healthier’ Christmas with less alcohol, Tesco says”
