Group Sales and Ex-Ocado Growth
Total group sales GBP 17.4bn (+20% YoY driven by Ocado consolidation). Excluding Ocado, sales were GBP 14.2bn, +1.9% YoY.
Profit, Cash and Balance Sheet
Adjusted profit before tax GBP 671.4m (includes GBP 100m cyber insurance proceeds). Free cash flow from operations was an inflow of GBP 131.3m and the Group maintained a net funds position (ex-lease liabilities).
Food Outperformance and Market Share Gains
Food sales grew 7% with volume +3.5%. Market share rose to 4.1% (4.6% including M&S on Ocado). Served 800k more food customers (biggest gain of any supermarket) and total Group customers served reached a record 34m.
Product Refresh and Food Innovation
Upgraded over 1,000 food products and launched ~1,500 new products; quality perception scores at their highest and price index vs main supermarkets described as the best/lowest ever.
Supply Chain and Distribution Investment
Announced two new food distribution centres (Avonmouth and Daventry) adding ~1.7m sq ft and acquired a 437,000 sq ft automated fashion DC in Lichfield (purchase GBP 67.5m plus ~GBP 20m automation) to increase online capacity and picking efficiency; benefits expected to materialize from FY'28.
Capital Allocation and Reinvestment Plan
Reinvesting for growth with planned capital expenditure net of disposals of GBP 650-750m for the year; maintenance CapEx ~GBP 150m and disciplined hurdle rates (20% IRR / ~4-year payback for growth projects).
Platform Partnerships and Ocado Momentum
M&S on Ocado sales up 17% and reached GBP 1.0bn for the first time; new wholesale/marketplace partnerships (Coles, Nordstrom, Zalando, Amazon) with Zalando driving 200% growth in new European customers.