Sainsbury’s said the second English national lockdown in November and subsequent tiering in December helped sales soar, meaning profits for the year are now likely to be £50 million higher than first thought.
The unplanned profit upgrade was revealed as supermarket bosses said sales in the three months to January 2 were up 8.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Over the Christmas period itself – measured by Sainsbury’s as the nine weeks to the same date – these were even higher, growing 9.3 per cent.
The like-for-like measure does not include the permanent closure of 120 standalone Argos stores which were not reopened after the first national lockdown in March. On a total basis, sales during the three-month period were up 6.8 per cent.
Holborn-headquartered Sainsbury’s said there was strong growth in both its grocery stores and at Argos, which remained open for click-and-collect orders, alongside huge surges in online deliveries.
Argos sales rose 8.4 per cent and non-food sales were up 6 per cent as non-essential retailers were forced to either close stores or only offer click-and-collect services.
Online grocery sales jumped 128 per cent over the period, with total digital sales up 81 per cent, representing 44 per cent of total sales for the group.
Around 1.1 million online food orders were delivered in the 10 days leading up to Christmas, the grocer added.
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As a result, underlying pre-tax profits for the year are expected to hit £330 million, compared with previous guidance of £270 million – although this will be down on the £586 million recorded last year due to Sainsbury’s agreeing to pay its £410 million business rates bill.
Chief executive Simon Roberts said the tighter Christmas restrictions saw customers turn to smaller turkeys and an increase in lamb and beef sales, but shoppers treated themselves to more premium products.
He said: “While people had smaller gatherings, they still treated themselves, with Taste The Difference sales up 11 per cent.
“Premium champagne sales were up 52 per cent, Taste The Difference party food was popular throughout December, and people did more home baking than usual, with mincemeat sales up 24 per cent.
“Customers still wanted New Year’s Eve at home to feel special and we sold a record number of steaks.”
Mr Roberts added: “Argos sales were up over 8 per cent, with fast-track home delivery and click and Collect beating expectations for Black Friday and Christmas.”