Wal-Marts Asda bullish on trading in run-up to Christmas

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Asda, the British supermarket chain owned by US giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc, said it completed 21 million transactions in the week before Christmas, with the busiest day being Dec 22.

Britain's third-biggest grocer said sales on Christmas Eve were one third higher than the best previous Christmas Eve performance in 2004.

During the day, it reckons 67 customers a second were passing through its checkouts across the UK.

Asda said, in the seven days before Christmas, six of its stores recorded sales greater than 4 mln stg, while 41 surpassed 3 mln stg sales during the week, and 159 achieved sales greater than 2 mln stg.

The top performing stores were Minworth in England, Edinburgh Supercentre in Scotland, Swansea in Wales and Strabane in Northern Ireland.

Among product highlights, Asda said its 'Extra Special' range had its best Christmas ever, with sales doubling year-on-year, boosted by strong Christmas pudding sales.