Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Morrisons 'unlikely' to hit profit forecasts for this year

James Thompson
Sunday 04 March 2012 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Morrisons will unveil an expansion of its fledgling convenience stores and online non-food lines on Thursday when it posts a rise in full-year underlying profits.

But analysts doubt the UK's fourth-biggest grocer will be able to hit City profit forecasts for this year, reflecting the tough supermarket trading conditions and the recent slowdown in Morrisons' sales.

Dalton Philips, the retailer's chief executive, is likely to strike a cautionary tone on plans to introduce online food delivery, though he will update on the performance of Kiddicare, a £70m purchase last year.

Morrisons, which has 472 stores, is forecast to grow its underlying profits by 6 per cent to £922m for the year to 30 January. But analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said conditions will make it "difficult" for Morrisons to hit forecasts of pre-tax profits of £970m in 2012-13.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in