AAP
April 20, 2012
RETAIL giant Woolworths has lifted its third quarter sales by 3.8 per cent, but says uncertainty caused by the carbon tax and interest rates makes it cautious about the coming months.
Woolworths on Friday reported total sales of $14.07 billion in the 13 weeks to April 1, up from $13.56 billion in the previous corresponding period.
Sales in supermarkets, bottle shops, petrol, Big W, hardware and its hotels all rose from the previous corresponding period.
“This has been achieved in a continuing tight consumer market,” chief executive Grant O’Brien said in a statement.
Accelerating price deflation remained a factor, while sales were affected by an unseasonably cold and wet summer period, he said.
But growth in customer numbers, market share and units sold were pleasing, Mr O’Brien said.
“Whilst the quarter saw an improving sales trend, we continue to remain cautious about the sales outlook for the fourth quarter, particularly given consumer and business uncertainty about the impact of the carbon tax and interest rates,” he said.
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