etailer and wholesaler Sligro Food Group has reported a fall in sales growth during the first quarter of the fiscal year as growing price competition looks to have taken its tole. Despite maintaining sales volumes, Sligro said that the value of food retail sales fell by a worrying 4.4% during the first quarter, while sales at its supermarket brand Emté fell 2.7%.
"The intensified price competition experienced in the fourth quarter of 2013 continued in the first quarter of this year," a company statement read, also noting the affect of the late
Overall, group sales increased 0.6% during the period, rising to €592 million.
It's been a tough start to 2014 for Sligro, who in January reported that profits dropped 0.9% to €68 million during 2013.
The company's half-year figures are due to be published on 17 July.
