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U.K. CHAINS' SALES MIXED

LONDON (FNS) -- One struggling U.K. retailer reported improved sales for the final weeks of 1999, while another saw sales continue their decline, as competition in the British retail sector grows yet more intense in the wake of last year's acquisition of Asda, Leeds, England, the United Kingdom's third-largest retailer, by Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, Ark.tomer traffic as well as strong demand over

LONDON (FNS) -- One struggling U.K. retailer reported improved sales for the final weeks of 1999, while another saw sales continue their decline, as competition in the British retail sector grows yet more intense in the wake of last year's acquisition of Asda, Leeds, England, the United Kingdom's third-largest retailer, by Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, Ark.

tomer traffic as well as strong demand over the holiday period, it added.

But Safeway's sales in the year to-date are only 4% ahead of the previous year's, with a rise of only 2.5% on a same-store basis. This is significantly behind that of its competitors Tesco plc, Cheshunt, England, and Asda, but similar to that of the struggling J. Sainsbury plc here.

Safeway's problems in the first half resulted in the appointment of a new chief executive, Carlos Criado-Perez, who plans to focus the chain on local marketing, improved service and more fresh foods.

Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer here said last week sales for the 15-week period ended Jan. 8 declined 2.8%, with same-store sales falling 5.3%. Food sales, however, rose 1.2%.

TAGS: Walmart