Asda has unveiled a plan to deliver a “more consistent experience” after a decline in sales over the second quarter.
For the period ending 30 June, the supermarket’s total sales, excluding fuel, declined 2.2%, with like for like sales down 5.3%.
For the remainer of the year, it will focus on three key priorities: customer satisfaction, enhanced product availability and a renewed trading plan.
It plans to enhance availability across all categories, including 1,000 core grocery lines, and will make replenishment processes easier, allowing more deliveries to be put straight onto shelf.
Asda will also invest an additional £30m in colleague hours to improve the replenishment of stock during opening hours in store, increase the number of colleagues on checkouts at the weekend, and improving cleaning in store.
Lastly, the grocer will deliver a renewed trade plan for the remainder of the year, a key focus of which will be driving increased use of Asda Rewards.
The supermarket has already kicked off a £50m store upgrade programme, which looks to improve the customer experience across 170 stores, with a refresh already underway in 130 stores.
Asda co-owner Mohsin Issa said: “As we move forward, we remain committed to maintaining our value credentials, enhancing the product offer, and executing our long-term growth strategy to build an even stronger Asda for our customers and communities.”
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Chief financial officer Michael Gleeson added: “We continue to make progress by investing in bringing our quality and value offering to more customers across the UK, with Asda’s food price inflation trending lower than the market.
“We have made great progress over the last few years in transforming Asda into a diversified retail group, much of which is almost complete. However, we also know that there are some areas where we can and need to improve. We have today set out clear and decisive action to deliver a more consistent customer experience – to match the uncompromising value we offer.
“We remain confident in the underlying strength of the Asda business as we execute our long-term growth strategy.”
Issa hailed the grocer’s “robust online performance”, which saw sales up 1.4% as online grocery sales, which now account for 18% of total food sales.
He also noted that Asda Rewards continues to go “from strength-to-strength” as it now makes up 52% participation in all transactions, while the retailer’s recently launched Exceptional by Asda premium own-brand has seen sales improve 20%.
