Woolworths chases positive sales, not Coles

 Australia’s biggest supermarket chain is chasing positive sales growth rather than catching runaway rival Coles as the release of Woolworths third quarter sales pushes the gap between the two supermarket chains to its widest point ever.

Woolworths newly appointed group chief and former supermarket boss Brad Banducci said it was important the supermarket business was growing “at a local store level” to woo shoppers back to the Fresh Food People.

“Our current focus is on getting into positive sales growth and getting that sustainably,” Mr Banducci said   pointing to improved sales growth in April. This edged closer to positive territory, down 0.4 per cent on the same period last year, compared to the 0.9 per cent reversal in same store food and liquor sales in the third quarter.

Woolworths is investing another $150 million in cutting prices, improving service and fixing its loyalty program Photo: Bradley Kanaris

Woolworths revealed it would sink an additional $150 million in the second half  of this financial year, to cut prices, improve service and make changes to its unpopular loyalty program.