Digital sales more than double at Sainsbury's during lockdown

The supermarket group said total sales jumped by 8.5 per cent for the three months to June 27, amid strong demand for store-cupboard essentials.

However, it said it expects profits to take a hit of more than £500m due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, although this will be "broadly offset by business rates relief and stronger grocery sales".

Simon Roberts, the new chief executive of Sainsbury's, also warned investors "we do not expect the current strong sales growth to continue" as he stressed that coming months would continue to be challenging.

Grocery sales surged 10.5 per cent during the quarter as online grocery orders rose to 650,000 per week from 370,000 for the same period last year.

Sainsbury's also reported a 7.2 per cent increase in general merchandise sales as it was boosted by strong figures in its Argos business despite stores being shut for most of the quarter.

Argos sales increased by 10.7 per cent as it was boosted by a 78 per cent jump in home delivery sales, while click-and-collect sales increased by 53 per cent.

Shoppers bought fewer clothes from the business during the period with sales sliding by 26.7 per cent.

Mr Roberts said: "The last four months have been extraordinary in so many ways and our colleagues have done an amazing job adapting our business.

"They have worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe, to help feed the nation and to support our communities and the most vulnerable in society.

"A number of the decisions we have made have materially increased costs but meant that we have done the right thing for our customers and set us up well for the future."