Asda has suffered a fall in like-for-like sales, and blamed other retailers for the slump.
Sales at the UK Big Four retailer, excluding fuel, fell 3.9 per cent during the 15 weeks to April 19 - the group's first quarter.
The falls represents an increase in the pace of decline from Q4 2014, when like-for-like sales dropped by 2.6 per cent, and is the third straight quarter in which sales have fallen at Asda.
Asda, like the other supermarket majors, has been suffering amid the intense competitive environment in the UK's grocery industry.
CEO, Andy Clarke, said: “This last quarter has been unprecedented. We have seen deflation in the market and exponential shifts in the industry. Although I still believe that 18 months ago we did a great job of predicting changes, we could not have foreseen what’s happened to others and the moves they have had to make in order to restore their business – creating an impact on us in the short-term.
“Whilst I take no pride in reporting a negative number, we are in a period of expected turbulence, not distress. We won’t buy short-term sales at the expense of long-term profitability. Throughout this period of change in our sector, Asda has been first to market with its response.
“Fundamentally, Asda remains a balanced, healthy sustainable business with a clear direction allowing us to hold our nerve and remain focussed on delivering for our customers.”
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