Clothing business up 6% for period, while general merchandise division rises 5%.
Sainsbury’s Tu clothing business enjoyed strong sales in the grocer’s third quarter, recording 6% growth.
The general merchandise division also reported good sales growth, up 5% for the 15 weeks to January 9.
While the grocer did not attribute particular reasons to the growth, it is likely that brands including Star Wars, Peppa Pig, Frozen and Minions helped bolster the Tu clothing line during the period.
In addition, the return of Mog for Sainsbury’s Christmas campaign – and the strong sales of the special book, Mog’s Christmas Calamity, and accompanying soft toy – will have contributed.
Elsewhere, Sainsbury’s reported that total retail sales during the 15 weeks to January 9 increased 0.8% (excluding fuel), although like for likes dipped 0.4%.
The grocer said that 30 million transactions took place in the seven days leading up to Christmas, an increase of 2.6% year on year.
