Morrisons said some of its car parks will be used to help with the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines as it unveiled rising sales during the festive period.
Chief executive David Potts said portable buildings would be up and running from three of the supermarket's car parks from next Monday, with a further 47 offered to the Government.
'We'll have three stores operating from Monday 11th January and we have offered up another 47 subject to requirements and availability of the vaccine,' he said.
Festive cheer: Morrisons reported a 9.3% rise in like-for-like sales in the past three weeks
It comes as Britain's fourth biggest supermarket reported a 9.3 per cent rise in like-for-like sales in the past three weeks.
Online sales in the fourth quarter tripled so far, with growth accelerating both at its website and at 'Morrisons on Amazon', its same-day delivery service with the US giant.
Thomas Brereton, senior retail analyst at GlobalData, said it will be hard for rivals to match such strong growth.
'Morrisons' success over the period is largely driven by its expanding online offer, a portfolio that now includes 'Morrisons on Amazon', a strong partnership with Deliveroo and innovative propositions such as its food boxes,' he said.
Separate figures from market researcher Kantar show Morrisons was the best performer of Britain's big four grocers, with sales up 13.1 per cent over the 12 weeks to December 27 compared to the same period last year.
Britons spent a record £11.7billion on grocery in December, with supermarket sales over the 12 weeks up 11.4 per cent compared to the previous year.
Potts said that products have continued to arrive without delays despite fears that Brexit and Covid-19 border closures in December between the UK and France would have an impact.
'On Brexit, the volume crossing the Channel is obviously low at this time of year, so I think any delay on paperwork and process post 31st December is yet to be felt or visible. So far we've not seen any delays', he said.
He also said that they will not introduce limits on certain products to stop people stockpiling for now, but added that may change if shoppers eventually do so.
'I think we'll see how the British people handle the news. Clearly we can turn it on fairly sharpish and it's really making sure that everyone has stock,' he added.
Online boost: Online sales tripled in the last quarter, with growth accelerating both at its website and at 'Morrisons on Amazon', its same-day delivery service with the US giant
Morrisons said customers did their Christmas shopping earlier than usual, with sales of champagne up 64 per cent compared with a year ago.
It also saw a 40 per cent jump in salmon sales - selling 500,000 whole fish - and a 14 per cent rise in Free From mince pies.
The supermarket also managed to open three new stores during the past six months in Helensburgh in Scotland, Glenfield in Leicestershire, and Dalton Park in County Durham.
Morrisons announced £40million in coronavirus costs in early December and now it predicts that expenses will rise by a further £10million.
Profits are expected to be between £190million and £210million once the £230million business rates payment is made after the supermarket waived its right to claim the tax holiday.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoaXNpc21vbmV5LmNvLnVrL21vbmV5L21hcmtldHMvYXJ0aWNsZS05MTE0MDA1L01vcnJpc29ucy1jYXItcGFya3MtdXNlZC1Db3ZpZC12YWNjaW5lLWNlbnRyZXMuaHRtbNIBc2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoaXNpc21vbmV5LmNvLnVrL21vbmV5L21hcmtldHMvYXJ0aWNsZS05MTE0MDA1L2FtcC9Nb3JyaXNvbnMtY2FyLXBhcmtzLXVzZWQtQ292aWQtdmFjY2luZS1jZW50cmVzLmh0bWw?oc=5
2021-01-05 10:43:00Z
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