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Retail chain Spar Group has noted a marginal increase in prices for groceries and perishable items in recent months, using its own price inflation measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving reported internally measured price inflation of 4.1% for the first six months ended 31 March 2020, the increase to 4.6% for the period, reflects the marginal upward movement of prices in a range of grocery and perishable items,\u201d it said in a trading update on Friday (18 September).<\/p>\n
The group said it increased sales by 12.4% from R99.67 billion, to R112.04 billion for the 48 weeks to 28 August 2020, when compared to the previous corresponding 48 week trading period in 2019.<\/p>\n
In Southern Africa, sales were up 4.8%, while turnover in the region rose by 7.8%, but only 1% during the lockdown period.<\/p>\n
Liquor sales dropped by 16.4% due to the sales ban imposed by the South African government, while cigarette sales dropped by 30.5% during the period, and 71.9% in the last five months, following a ban on tobacco products.<\/p>\n
“Approximately three of the last five months of trading for the period were lost due to liquor trade bans and this saw sales decline 44.1% in the period post 31 March 2020,” Spar said.<\/p>\n
Spar Switzerland turnover reflected an ‘extraordinary’ increase of 11.4% as both the neighbourhood stores and the cash and carry business reported strong growth, it said.<\/p>\n
The group said that the development of its Polish business was frustrated by the Covid-19 restrictions but, contributed R1.97 billion to group turnover.<\/p>\n