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Woolies joins supermarket slump as shoppers return to pre-pandemic habits

Woolworths says it will take its rapid antigen testing program nationwide after success in Sydney.

Woolworths says it will take its rapid antigen testing program nationwide after success in Sydney. Photo: AAP

Supermarket giant Woolworths has posted a 0.4 per cent rise in group sales to $16.56 billion for the third quarter, helped by continuing strong trading in the first part of the period.

But food sales in Australia for the 13 weeks to April 4 were down 0.7 per cent to $11.09 billion, as trading normalised compared to a surge in spending ahead of coronavirus lockdowns during the same period in 2020.

Sales at Big W stores rose 6.3 per cent from a year ago, while sales at the Endeavour Drinks and hotels businesses rose 6.3 per cent and 11.5 per cent respectively.

The 2021 figures came after the retailer’s food sales jumped $11.1 billion in the same period in 2020, as the COVID pandemic hit – up 10.3 per cent on comparable sales in 2019.

In the 2020 April quarter, Woolies noted that toilet paper, cleaning goods, rice and pasta were the most popular items.

Rival Coles reported a similar drop on Wednesday, with 2021 third-quarter sales slipping 5.1 per cent to $8.76 billion.

Coles’ supermarket sales declined by 6.1 per cent for the 12 weeks to March 28 to $7.72 billion.

However, liquor sales were up 2.6 per cent to $759 million, while Coles Express sales jumped 7.4 per cent to $275 million.

Coles also said consumer behaviour had started to normalise, with customers returning to shopping centres and increased shopping trips and improved transaction growth.

-with AAP

Topics: Woolworths
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