Tesco online sales rocket by 15%

Tesco witnessed a 15 per cent rise in online sales last year, on the back of more precise delivery slots and the launch of a smartphone app.
As the UK’s largest retailer reported record profits of £3.8bn – more than £10m a day – it said its Web business had grown strongly. Total group sales were £68bn and in the UK sales grew 5.5 per cent to £45bn, with trading profits ahead by 3.8 per cent to £2.5bn.
The supermarket reported that online grocery sales in the UK alone grew by a “double digit” percentage, with a 30 per cent growth at Tesco Direct which sells electrical goods and furniture. However, online profits only grew modestly, after the company invested in providing shorter delivery slots in London, and added services such as click and collect.
The company drew attention to its iPhone app, which it said “now accounts for 12 per cent of online customer traffic”. The app allows shoppers to scan the barcode of groceries anywhere and they are automatically added to their Tesco online basket.
Results for the year to end February, released today, showed the bulk of Tesco’s 12.3 per cent profit increase came from its growing Asian operations.