Coles’ convenience sales revenue for the half was $578 million, according to the retailer’s 2022 half year results.
This was a decrease of 8.5% on the prior corresponding period, with comparable sales decreasing by 7.4%.
In the second quarter, convenience sales revenue decreased by 7% and comparable sales decreased by 5.6%.
Gross retail sales decreased by 8.1% to $615 million.
According to Coles, convenience sales growth was “negatively” impacted by lower forecourt traffic due to lockdowns in NSW, Victoria and the ACT during the half, as well as cycling “strong” tobacco sales in the prior corresponding period.
Excluding tobacco, convenience sales were “flat” in the second quarter with “strong” growth in food-to-go, including coffee. This, says Coles, indicates an “improving trajectory” as restrictions eased during the half.
To allow customers convenient access to the Express offer, DoorDash was rolled out at over 540 Express sites during the half. This provided customers with more than 400 products for immediate delivery.
“Strategic” investments also continued in the network. During the half, six sites were closed, taking the total Express network to 711 sites.
Fuel
Fuel volumes declined by 5.2% during the half with comparable fuel volumes declining by 4.4%. This, says Coles, was driven by Covid-19 restrictions impacting traffic flows and mobility particularly in NSW, Victoria and the ACT.
Average weekly fuel volumes of 52.6ml per week were recorded during the half. For the second quarter, average weekly fuel volumes were 56.5ml per week.
