Product availability still recovering after tech outage, says Morrisons
Morrisons has said the availability of products in its stores has still not fully recovered after a major IT systems outage before Christmas.
The UK's fifth-largest supermarket chain said its recent turnaround progress was 'set back' by the issue, which has caused weaker sales growth in recent months.
Boss Rami Baitieh said the company was unable to see its product availability and stock levels for four days after a cyber incident hit its technology supplier, Blue Yonder.
We found a work around very quickly but our availability fell significantly and we very sadly let down some customers. The incident did set back our progress
Morrisons chief executive Rami Baitieh
'We found a work around very quickly but our availability fell significantly and we very sadly let down some customers,' he said.
'The incident did set back our progress.
'Our availability is improving but it is not yet back to where it was before the incident, although product availability is still better than we were a year ago.'
Chief financial officer Jo Goff said Morrisons expects to recover costs caused by the incident as it seeks to make a claim with its insurers.
The group added that sales for the current quarter, which covered the key Christmas period, were positive but saw slower growth than the previous quarter.
It came after Morrisons' sales jumped last year, with the supermarket saying it took market share from competitors and grew its loyalty card scheme.
The company said like-for-like sales rose 4.1% in the year ending October 27, while earnings jumped to £835 million from £751 million in the previous 12 months.
The annual results did not cover the key Christmas trading period, when Morrisons suffered IT issues of its own, causing delivery issues and forcing it to cut the price of items including turkeys and Champagne for some customers.
But the supermarket did show its best quarter since 2021 for the three months to October 27, when sales rose 4.9% compared with the previous year.
Morrisons, which has its headquarters in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and employs more than 100,000 people across the UK, has been owned by US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice since 2021.
Mr Baitieh said: 'This has been a year of urgent reinvigoration and positive progress for Morrisons.
'Customer transactions increased, market share grew from Q2 and we saw positive switching from our competitors.
The improvements across the business have resulted in better availability in our stores, sharper prices, more effective promotions and a strong and growing loyalty scheme
Morrisons chief executive Rami Baitieh
'The improvements across the business have resulted in better availability in our stores, sharper prices, more effective promotions and a strong and growing loyalty scheme.'
It comes after Morrisons said it would axe more than 200 jobs as part of a cost-cutting plan, joining Sainsbury's in reducing headcount in the months after the October Budget.
The move followed Mr Baitieh warning that supermarkets faced an 'avalanche of costs' after Chancellor Rachel Reeves increased taxes for employers.
Morrisons was one of more than 70 businesses, including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's, that told Ms Reeves in an open letter that the changes announced in the Budget mean price rises are a 'certainty'.
It said changes to national insurance contributions would push its costs up £75 million a year from April, with an extra £10 million of costs expected due to the impact of the changes on third party partners, such as security staff in its shops.
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Leader Live
11 hours ago
- Leader Live
Wrexham and Flintshire chip shops aim for title award
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At Christmas 2024, he donated presents for the patients at Nightingale House Hospice to give to their children and grandchildren. Haci said: "I feel very happy to be in the top 10. As Chip-O-Dee owner we prepare and present our food with lots of effort. So to see us as Chip-O-Dee on the top 10 shows our customers' reward. "It would mean a lot for me to win because Chip-O-Dee always offers good quality flavours. It would mean a lot for me to see our customer feedbacks. "People come back to Chip-O-Dee because we offer our customers delicious and quality meals with a friendly welcome. Customer satisfaction is valuable to us, and presenting quality food is important for us. "We thank all our customers who choose us." The Big Fish - Chester Street, Mold Alex Valyandis (centre) and the team at The Big Fish in Mold. Alex Valyandis took over The Big Fish in Mold in 2022, and hasn't looked back. The former pro MMA fighter now has a team of about eight helping him keep on top of demand at the popular chip shop. Thirty two-year-old Alex, who previously worked with his dad in Yiannos Fish Bar in Wrexham, said: "It's been going really well and we've improved each year. We were welcomed with open arms." On hearing the Big Fish had made it as a finalist, he said: "We were really surprised, we're only a small shop but it makes it really exciting. "To win would mean everything. But it's also about supporting local business, we're all in this together. It's nice to be nice, it's good karma." Bellevue Grill and Fish Bar - Bradley Road, Wrexham The team at Bellevue Grill and Fish Bar. Fehim Ayaz has been running things at the shop for the last three years. The 50-year-old knows it's hard work to stay on top and keep customers coming back. He said: "People come back to our shop because we are doing our best to provide the best service. 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Gwersyllt Fish Bar - Dodds Lane, Gwersyllt Andrew Mertakkas, Jason Mertakkas and Leonardo Mertakkas from Gwersyllt Fish Bar, Wrexham. Brothers Jason and Andrew Mertakkas currently run the Wrexham chip shop but the business has been in the family since 1984. On reaching the final, Jason, 47, said: "It was a bit of a surprise. But we know we're one of the best, and are very happy and privileged to be nominated. "And it's nice to be recognised for our hard work. "It's a great business to be involved in, it's a lot of hard work but it's very enjoyable, we love it." On why their customers remain so loyal, Jason added: "All our staff are very friendly, we're a likeable place to go. "The food is top class, we put a lot of effort into getting the best products out there. "To win would mean a lot, and would help improve business to have been named the best in the region but even if we don't win, to have got this far is an achievement." 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Jaz added: "My husband puts everything into the business. Customers come back I think because of the loyalty Dee and the staff show them too. "To win would mean everything. It would mean a lot to us both but especially my husband for the amount of hard work he has put in." Jones's Fish and Chip Shop - St George's Crescent, Wrexham Emma Gaffey, Marlene Roberts (owner) and Linda Adamson. A long-standing business in the city, Jones's has been part of the same family since 1931. The shop has remained open throughout, including through the Second World War, only closing during the covid lockdown. To continue to be recognised by their community with a place in the top 10, was a welcome surprise. Emma Gaffey, the owner's granddaughter and fourth generation at the shop, said: "We were very please, it's fierce competition. "A lot of Wrexham's chip shop's have very loyal customers, so to be nominated in the first place is an honour. 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Steven, who first started working in a chippy from about 13-years-old, has had the shop for the last 11 years. Named after a nickname given to him from an uncle when he was about six, Stubby's has a team of four, including Steven's son Jack. He added: "I try my best. I maintain standards of keeping the food nice and fresh, while keeping an eye on costs. Everyone is feeling the pinch. "It helps to have good staff and a good atmosphere too. It's about the customers that come in too, they're great with me. "It would mean the world to win, a fantastic achievement. We're up against a lot of good takeaways that have been around a long time. "To win against them would be marvellous but if we didn't, we'd congratulate whoever wins." The full top 10 hoping to get your vote: • Bellevue Grill and Fish Bar, Wrexham • Borras Park Fish Bar, Wrexham • Chipodee, Wrexham • Crystals Fast Food, Mold • Gwersyllt Fish Bar, Wrexham • Jones' Fish and Chip Shop, Wrexham • Josie's Chip Shop, Rhosymedre • Kingsley Fish Bar, Wrexham • Stubby's Fish Bar, Llay • The Big Fish, Mold
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The cheap foreign meat flooding Britain's supermarket shelves: Farmers' fury over rise in beef and chicken imports from countries 'with lower animal welfare standards'
Cheaper chicken and beef from Australia, Poland and Uruguay is being increasingly seen at UK supermarkets, angry British farmers warned today. Chains such as Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Asda are importing meat from countries with lower animal welfare standards, according to the National Farmers' Union. Sirloin steak from Australia, raw chicken from Poland, sirloin and ribeye steaks from Uruguay and wagyu beef from New Zealand have all been spotted on UK shelves. Supermarkets are being accused of a 'huge betrayal of the UK's hard-working family farms' as they try to source cheaper imports to help keep their prices down. The NFU said the shift comes at a time when farmers in Britain already face an 'unprecedented number of challenges' amid concerns over recent trade deals. The union also pointed out that British livestock farmers adhere to robust standards, with consumers advised to look for the Red Tractor logo carrying the Union Jack. The UK has an animal welfare standards ranking far above all the other countries - listed as B, according to the World Animal Protection's Animal Protection Index. This is compared to C for Poland and New Zealand and D for Uruguay and Australia. Morrisons, which sponsors TV show Clarkson's Farm, is now selling raw chicken and Australian beef – the latter of which was made possible by Liz Truss's much-criticised post-Brexit trade deal with Australia in 2021, NFU sources told The Guardian. Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson, tweeted: 'This is appalling from Morrisons. They seek kudos for their UK sourcing but then sneakily do this, undermining British farmers and undermining their own integrity and brand.' Meanwhile Asda is selling sirloin and ribeye steaks from Uruguay, priced much lower than the UK equivalents, under the Grass and Grill brand owned by Hilton Foods. 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Long-term sourcing commitments from retailers are essential to ensuring that the high welfare British food consumers want remains available.' A Morrisons spokeswoman said: 'Morrisons remains 100 per cent British on all our meat counters. In our aisles – alongside our New Zealand lamb – we are introducing trials of some imported meat from trusted suppliers to help us offer outstanding value through the seasons and through any supply fluctuations. An Asda spokesman added: 'We always look to offer customers a wide choice of products to suit all budgets, and the country of origin is always clearly labelled on pack so customers can make an informed choice about their purchases. 'Grass & Grill steaks are provided by a branded partner and available in our stores for a limited time only. All of Asda's own brand fresh beef continues to be sourced from farms in the UK and Republic of Ireland.' And a Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: 'We're proud to work with thousands of British farmers year-round and the vast majority of our beef range is sourced from the UK and Ireland. We have no plans to change this approach. 'All of our suppliers also have to meet the same rigorous quality standards, regardless of where the product is sourced from. 'These seasonal products account for just 0.1 per cent of our beef range and are an example of where there are times we may also source from elsewhere like New Zealand, so that we can continue to meet customer demand. 'The country of origin is clearly labelled, to help our customers make informed choices when they shop with us.'
Glasgow Times
14 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Morrisons free Pyrex dishes worth £30 with More Card stamps
More Card Stamps were introduced in February as an added bonus to the popular Morrisons More Card loyalty scheme. The window to earn stamps has now closed but customers have until Sunday June 22 to redeem their existing stamps. Hundreds of thousands of customers have already swapped their stamps and over two million Pyrex products have been claimed so far. Due to its popularity more stock is arriving in stores and it is being displayed near the checkouts so that it is easy to find. Morrisons is now urging customers to be quick and not wait until the deadline to ensure they don't miss out - especially if there is a particular Pyrex product they have been saving for. The range of top-quality Pyrex containers is exclusive to Morrisons and includes a hand pump that ensures contents stay fresher for longer - ideal for busy households looking to save time and reduce food waste. Compact 600ml containers that are perfect for snacks or meal prep or spacious 2600ml dishes that can store a hearty family lasagne are available. The products include: 600ML Pyrex (round) 800ML Pyrex (rectangular) 1100ML Pyrex (round) 1500ML Pyrex (rectangular) 1600ML Pyrex (round) 2600ML Pyrex (rectangular) Hand pump Recommended reading: Lilly Chattoe, Morrisons Senior Loyalty Marketing Manager, says: 'Our More Card Stamps loyalty program has been incredibly popular, with fans of the Pyrex range being quick to collect their stamps in exchange for a product or two, or more. "As we reach the final week of the offer, we're reminding customers that haven't yet redeemed their stamps to do so quickly before it runs out.'. Alongside More Card Stamps, Morrisons customers get exclusive More Card Prices in-store and online, and when a customer has saved 5,000 More Card Points they will receive a Morrisons Fiver.
