Australian supermarket group Woolworths Limited has announced its full year sales from continuing operations of $58.5 billion, an increase of 6.8 per cent on the previous year, or 4.8 per cent after adjusting for the 53^rd week in 2013. Food and liquor sales contributed $40 billion to the overall sales total.

Sales for the fourth quarter from continuing operations were $14.1 billion, an increase of 12.7 per cent on the previous year, or 4.3 per cent after adjusting for Easter and the 53^rd week of 2013.

“The progress made in the 2013 financial year on our program of transformation for Woolworths Limited has been rewarded with a strong sales result,” said Grant O’Brien, Woolworths CEO. “Momentum continues to increase in Australian Food and Liquor with comparable sales growth for the second half higher than the first half and the prior year,” he said.

Woolworths said the Food and Liquor result demonstrate the benefits gained from “a sharpened focus on its core businesses” and the implementation of its “strategic priorities”.

“We have achieved solid full year sales growth, which is particularly pleasing when measured against challenging retail conditions and an economic environment underpinned by consumer uncertainty and low growth in disposable income,” Mr O’Brien said.

Woolworths Limited said market share, customer numbers and basket size increased compared to the previous year.

Australian Food and Liquor

Woolworths Limited said its liquor sales for the year were $40 billion, an increase of $2.5 billion or 6.6 per cent on the previous year (4.7 per cent normalised). Sales for the fourth quarter were $9.6 billion, an increase of 12.2 per cent on the previous year (4.4 per cent normalised).

Comparable store sales in Australian Food and Liquor increased 2.7 per cent for the year and 2.9 per cent for the fourth quarter after adjusting for Easter. Comparable sales growth for the second half of the financial year was 3 per cent, compared to a 2.4 per cent increase in the first half and 1.1 per cent increase in the previous year.

During the year, Woolworths said the Australian Food and Liquor business continued to increase market share, customer number and basket size with strong volume growth.

“We have returned a solid sales result for the year, which is a reflection of the strength and resilience of our business,” said Tjeerd Jegen, Managing Director Australian Supermarkets and Petrol. “Our Fresh departments, including Meat, Produce and Seafood have performed particularly well in line with our strategy to extend our leadership in Fresh Foods,” he said.

Woolworths said the launch of its ‘More Savings Every Day’ marketing campaign at the end of the fourth quarter had been “well received” by consumers.

Average prices experienced deflation of 2.9 per cent for the year and 3.5 per cent for the fourth quarter when the effects of promotion and volumes were included, according to the Company.

Woolworths said the standard shelf price movement index for the year was inflation of 1 per cent, compared with zero per cent in FY2012, with inflation levels being consistent across the first andn second half of the year. The standard shelf price movement index for the fourth quarter was inflation of 0.9 per cent, compared with third quarter inflation of 1.2 per cent.

According to Woolworths the low inflation rates across “most significant categories” are a result of a continued lowering of prices.

Liquor delivered solid growth for the Company, with total liquor sales of $7.2 billion, an increase of 8.9 per cent on the previous year (7.0 per cent normalized).

“Highlights for the year include the re-branding of all Woolworths Supermarket Liquor sites to BWS, the continued strong growth of Dan Murphy’s, as well as strong performance from all our direct businesses including danmurpheys.com.au, Langton’s and Cellarmasters,” said Brad Banducci, Director of Liquor. “Dan Murphy’s continues to lead multi-option innovation liquor with Click and Collect and mobile both resonating well with our customers,” he said.

Woolworths opened 34 Australian supermarkets during the year, including 13 in the fourth quarter, bringing the total to 897, a net increase of 25 stores. It opened 16 Dan Muprhy’s during the year, bringing the total to 175.

New Zealand Supermarkets

Woolworths’ New Zealand Supermarkets’ sales for the year were NZ$5.7 billion, an increase of 4.1 per cent on the previous year (6.9 per cent in AUD) or 2.3 per cent adjusted (5 per cent in AUD). Sales for the fourth quarter were NZ$1.4 billion, an increase of 10.6 per cent on the previous year (17 per cent increase in AUD) or 2.4 per cent adjusted (8.3 per cent in AUD).

Comparable sales for the year were flat, and after adjusting for Easter, were flat for the fourth quarter. This compared to a 0.8 per cent decrease in comparable sales in the second quarter and a decrease of 0.1 per cent in the third quarter.

Woolworths said lower prices for milk, butter and cheese passed onto its customers, as well as an increased frequency of customer promotions across a number of trading departments had resulted in a low level of inflation. The Countdown Supermarkets food price index showed retail price inflation of just 0.2 per cent for the year (FY12 1.1 per cent) and 0.1 per cent for the fourth quarter (fourth quarter in 2012 0.3 per cent).

“In light of the continuation of subdued market conditions and highly competitive marketplace, compounded by low growth and low inflation, our 4.4 per cent growth for the year is pleasing,” said Dave Chambers, Managing Director PEL Supermarkets. “We have continued to increase our market share, customer numbers and items sold, which is a reflection of our strong brand, new store formats and increased promotional effectiveness,” he said.

Petrol

Petrol sales for the year, including Woolworths/Caltex alliance sites, were $6.8 billion, an increase of 1.2 per cent on the previous year (a decrease of 0.8 per cent adjusted). Sales for the fourth quarter were $1.7 billion, an increase of 6.1 per cent on the previous year (a decrease of 2.5 per cent adjusted). Woolworths said this was impacted by lower average fuel sell prices for the quarter.

Petrol volumes increased 0.5 per cent for the year (decreased 1.4 per cent adjusted) and increased 8.7 per cent for the fourth quarter (flat when adjusted). According to Woolworths volumes throughout the year had been impacted by a flat fuel market and the move towards more fuel efficient vehicles. Additionally, Woolworths said its focus on targeted fuel promotions and providing consumers with offers in its supermarkets reduced its reliance on fuel discounts, resulting in lower fuel volumes but providing positive benefits overall. It said the diesel conversion program continued to increase the range and availability of fuels across sites delivering solid growth and capturing changing market demand.

Comparable dollar sales decreased 2.3 per cent for the year and decreased 2.4 per cent for the fourth quarter after adjusting. Comparable volumes decreased 2.9 per cent for the year and decreased 0.5 per cent for the fourth quarter after adjusting.

Total merchandise (non-fuel) sales increased 8.3 per cent for the year (6.4 per cent adjusted) and increased 14.5 per cent for the fourth quarter (7.6 per cent adjusted).

Comparable merchandise (non-fuel) sales increased 2.4 per cent for the year and increased 4.7 per cent for the fourth quarter after adjusting.

Woolworths opened 16 petrol canopies during the year and closed one Woolworths and one Woolworths/Caltex alliance site bringing the total to 613, including 131 Woolworths/Caltex alliance sites.

Big W

BIG W sales for the year were $4.4 billion, an increase of 4.9 per cent on the previous year (2.0 per cent adjusted).

Sales for the fourth quarter were $973 million, an increase of 9.7 per cent on the previous year. Adjusting for the impact of the 53rd week, which included the launch of our annual Toy Sale event, and for the timing of Easter, sales for the fourth quarter were down 2.2 per cent.

Fourth quarter comparable sales were impacted by unseasonably warm weather which softened sales of winter apparel relative to expectations, ongoing price deflation (Q4’13: 3.1 per cent; FY13: 4.2 per cent) and strong comparable sales growth in May and June in the previous year, which was supported by government stimulus programs. Woolworths said Home Entertainment, particularly iPads, which benefited from the government stimulus programs last year, declined in the fourth quarter.

According to Woolworths the Home Entertainment category was impacted not only by prior year stimulus programs but also 11.8 per cent deflation for the year. Excluding Home Entertainment sales, comparable sales growth for the year was positive, which Woolworths said was driven by strong sales in the Home, Leisure, Toys and Sporting and Apparel categories.

“We are pleased with the result BIG W has achieved for the year against the backdrop of subdued trading conditions and continued price deflation as we have reinvigorated our product, price and promotional offers,” said Julie Coates, Director of BIG W. “Our brand campaign ‘Everyone’s a Winner with Australia’s Lowest Prices – Cha-Ching!’ and the introduction of our BIG W brand ambassador, Eric Stonestreet, during the fourth quarter have resonated well with customers.”

Hotels

Hotel sales for the year were $1.5 billion, an increase of 22 per cent on the previous year or 19.7 per cent adjusted. Sales for the fourth quarter were $357 million, an increase of 30.8 per cent on the previous year or 19.6 per cent adjusted.

Comparable sales for the year increased 10.5 per cent and increased 11.9 per cent for the fourth quarter after adjusting for Easter.

Woolworths said growth was driven by hotel acquisitions during the first half of the financial year and the Victorian gaming regulatory changes, which came into effect in August 2012.

“This is a pleasing result and reflects our focus on developing the ‘family friendly’ features of our venues including an improved Food offer in terms of quality and value,” said Bruce Mathieson Jnr, Chief Executive Officer ALH Group. “The year has not been without its challenges with subdued bar sales across most States and the impact of the removal of ATMs from venues in Victoria as a result of the gaming regulatory changes.”

Home Improvement

Home Improvement sales for the year were $1.2 billion, an increase of 49.6 per cent on the previous year (46.7 per cent adjusted). This included Danks sales of $710 million, up 4.1 per cent on the previous year and Masters sales of $529 million, up 262 per cent on the previous year on a 53 week basis.

Sales for the fourth quarter were $312 million, an increase of 52.2 per cent on the previous year or 40.5 per cent adjusted.

Woolworths said the 15 Masters stores opened for more than 12 months are in line with its business case sales target.

According to Woolworths, Danks’ high reliance on the trade and building sectors and the softness of the segment has affected delivery of sales relative to its expectations in FY13. Budgeted sales levels were higher than those achieved during FY13. This reflects the softness in the market and lower levels of acquisition activity than expected, according to the Company.

“Masters opened a further 16 stores across the country in FY13, giving us 31 stores trading at the end of the financial year,” said Melinda Smith, Director of Masters. “Store roll outs are critical to our success and have been delivered on schedule with a further 18 stores planned for FY14,” she said.

Woolworths said customer response to its differentiated product range and pricing strategy had been positive, and that Whitegoods, Kitchens and Paint categories had performed particularly well.