Woolworths' Countdown chain posts 3.4% sales growth in third quarter, average prices fall

Woolworths' Countdown chain posts 3.4% sales growth in third quarter, average prices fall
Jonathan Underhill
By Jonathan Underhill May 2 (BusinessDesk) - ASX-listed retailer Woolworths Group's Countdown chain of supermarkets in New Zealand recorded a 3.4 percent gain in sales in the third quarter. Sales rose to $1.63 billion in the 13 weeks ended April 1 from $1.58 billion a year earlier, according to Sydney-based Woolworths' third-quarter sales statement. Adjusting for the timing of Easter, comparable sales were up 3.8 percent, it said. Countdown competes with Foodstuffs in New Zealand, a retail group comprised of two cooperatives that has t...