Leclerc enjoys sales growth of 2.7% in 2016 | Progresiv
Leclerc has said total sales rose 2.7% in 2016, excluding the deflationary effects of petrol, with food sales increasing by 3.4%. Leclerc gained share in 2016, with its sales growth seeing it strongly outperform the 0.2% growth stated for the market as a whole. 
Leclerc’s president, Michel-Edouard Leclerc, said that its hypermarkets outperformed its Drive stores, with this aided by store owners’ investment in their food ranges. Leclerc went on to say that the investment in food was important as the retailer looks to compete with Amazon. Organic ranges have played a key element in this investment, with Leclerc benefiting from the price perception that shoppers hold it in and the price differential between it and specialist organic retailers.
The beginning of 2017 has been positive for Leclerc already, with 12 new stores joining the company. Meanwhile, the retailer has said that it will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of its core private label range, Marque Repere, which it will use to spotlight its strong price messages and to upweight its healthy, nutritious and environmentally friendly ranges.
Despite the performance of its stores in 2016, Leclerc said that online and digital commerce will be a focus in the medium term as it looks to grow the share of sales accounted for by both channels. (www.igd.com)
